Parkinson's disease & Infusion therapy

What is Parkinson’s disease?

Parkinson’s disease is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system resulting in the deterioration of the patient’s motor skills, speech and other functions. Some patients may not be able to control their disease effectively with prescribed medication resulting in unpredictable "on/off" fluctuations.

Treatment of Parkinson’s disease with apomorphine

Apomorphine hydrochloride is used to treat Parkinson’s disease. It is often prescribed to patients who are not responding well to other treatments or who experience frequent “off” periods and less control.

Apomorphine is administered subcutaneously:

• By intermittent injections with a ready-loaded disposable pen
• As a continuous infusion using a syringe driver infusion pump with a pre-filled syringe

Infusion therapy with apomorphine

Continuous infusion therapy with apomorphine can help improve quality of life for some patients. The patient uses a battery-driven, syringe driver infusion pump to deliver a specified continuous amount of the drug when required, adjusting the amount as needed during the day.

To deliver apomorphine, the patient inserts an infusion set under the skin and connects it to the infusion pump. The patient needs to change the infusion set at least once a day.

Apomorphine and neria™ infusion sets

neria™ infusion sets are tested (in vitro) for use with apomorphine.¹ The quality and careful design of neria™ infusion sets make them an excellent choice for the Parkinson's patient treated with continuous apomorphine.

Clinical studies

Clinical studies showed that neria™ infusion sets helped minimize pain^2,3 during insertion and reduced needle related traumas.^4,5

For complete clinical studies, please contact ConvaTec Infusion Care at info.infusion-set@unomedical.com.

For further information on Parkinson's disease, please see parkinson.org.

1. Stability test and function test of Comfort and Contact Detach by means of the medicament APO-go. Analysis report no. 294690. January 14-April 1, 2009. Data on file. Unomedical.
2. Chan G.C.F., NgD.M.W. Et al, comparison of Subcutaneous Infusion needles for Transfusion-Dependant Thalasseamia Patients by the Intrapersonal Cross-Over Assessment Model, Am.J. Hematol, 76;398-404
3. Parsons J., Infusion Line prefernces of patients prescribed apomorphine for complex Parkinson’s disease. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. December 2009, Vol 5 No 12
4. Chan G.C.F, Ng D.M.W. et al, Comparison of Subcutaneous Infusion Needles for Transfusion-Dependent Thalassemia Patients by the Intrapersonal Cross-Over Assessment Model, Am.J.Hematol.76;398-404 (2004).
5. Parsons J. Infusion line preferences of patients prescribed apomorphine for complex Parkinson's disease. British Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. December 2009.Vol 5 No 12