Role of apomorphine in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Current research shows that apomorphine is an effective treatment for symptoms of Parkinson's Disease (PD). The highly lipophilic structure allows apomorphine to cross cell membranes rapidly, leading to the rapid onset of action for on/off symptoms of PD. The use of apomorphine was limited in the past due to peripheral side effects, but with the advent of better delivery systems and medications to control side effects, apomorphine is better tolerated and more widely in use.

Spasticity and intrathecal baclofen.

Severe spastic tone and/or spastic hypertonia can be the most disabling consequences of a neurologic insult, resulting from an excess of muscle tone. Baclofen, a GABA-B agonist, is one of the most widely used drugs in treating abnormal or disabling spastic tone. However, the effectiveness of baclofen taken orally is often limited by its systemic side effects, including sedation, confusion, and lethargy.