Transdermal apomorphine permeation from microemulsions: a new treatment in Parkinson's disease.
We studied absorption, efficacy, and tolerability in Parkinson's disease (PD) of a new preparation of apomorphine included in a microemulsion and administered by transdermal route (Apo-MTD). Twenty-one PD patients were treated with levodopa plus oral dopamine-agonists (T0), with levodopa alone (T1), finally with levodopa plus Apo-MTD (T2). Apo-MTD provided therapeutic plasma levels for many hours, improved Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III scores, and reduced total duration of off periods compared to T0 and T1. We concluded that Apo-MTD is absorbed and demonstrates clinical efficacy and long action. Therefore, it seems a promising add-on treatment for uncontrolled prolonged off phases in PD patients, but chronic tolerability needs further study.
Divisione di Neurologia e Neuroriabilitazione, Osp. S. Giuseppe, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piancavallo (VB), Italy. lorenzopriano@yahoo.it
Lorenzo
L
Priano
Gianni
G
Albani
Andrea
A
Brioschi
Sara
S
Calderoni
Leonardo
L
Lopiano
Mario
M
Rizzone
Roberta
R
Cavalli
Maria Rosa
MR
Gasco
Francesco
F
Scaglione
Franco
F
Fraschini
Bruno
B
Bergamasco
Alessandro
A
Mauro
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000368:Aged; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001058:Apomorphine / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019540:Area Under Curve; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004655:Emulsions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D004655:Emulsions; D007980:Levodopa; D001058:Apomorphine