Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion

Treatment of motor fluctuations (“on-off” phenomena) in patients with Parkinson's disease which are not sufficiently controlled by oral anti-Parkinson medication.

Selection of Patients suitable for Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion:

Patients selected for treatment with Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion should be able to recognise the onset of their ”off” symptoms and be capable of injecting themselves or else have a responsible carer able to inject for them when required.

Patients treated with apomorphine will usually need to start domperidone at least two days prior to initiation of therapy. The domperidone dose should be titrated to the lowest effective dose and discontinued as soon as possible. Before the decision to initiate domperidone and apomorphine treatment, risk factors for QT interval prolongation in the individual patient should be carefully assessed to ensure that the benefit outweighs the risk (see section 4.4).

Apomorphine should be initiated in the controlled environment of a specialist clinic. The patient should be supervised by a physician experienced in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (e.g. neurologist). The patient's treatment with levodopa, with or without dopamine agonists, should be optimised before starting treatment with Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion.

Adults

Method of administration

Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is a pre-diluted vial intended for use without dilution for subcutaneous use and to be administered as a continuous subcutaneous infusion by minipump and/or syringe-driver (see section 6.6). It is not intended to be used for intermittent injection.

Apomorphine must not be used via the intravenous route.

Do not use if the solution has turned green. The solution should be inspected visually prior to use. Only clear, colourless to slightly yellow and particle free solution should be used.

Posology

Continuous Infusion

Patients who have shown a good “on” period response during the initiation stage of apomorphine therapy, but whose overall control remains unsatisfactory using intermittent injections, or who require many and frequent injections (more than 10 per day), may be commenced on or transferred to continuous subcutaneous infusion by minipump and/or syringe-driver as follows:

The choice, of which minipump and / or syringe-driver to use, and the dosage settings required, will be determined by the physician in accordance with the particular needs of the patient.

Determination of Threshold Dose

The threshold dose for continuous infusion should be determined as follows: Continuous infusion is started at a rate of 1 mg apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate (0.2 ml) per hour then increased according to the individual response each day. Increases in the infusion rate should not exceed 0.5 mg at intervals of not less than 4 hours. Hourly infusion rates may range between 1 mg and 4 mg (0.2 ml and 0.8 ml), equivalent to 0.014 - 0.06 mg/kg/hour. Infusions should run for waking hours only. Unless the patient is experiencing severe night-time problems, 24 hour infusions are not advised. Tolerance to the therapy does not seem to occur as long as there is an overnight period without treatment of at least 4 hours. In any event, the infusion site should be changed every 12 hours.

Patients may need to supplement their continuous infusion with intermittent bolus boosts, as necessary, and as directed by their physician.

A reduction in dosage of other dopamine agonists may be considered during continuous infusion.

Establishment of treatment

Alterations in dosage may be made according to the patient's response.

The optimal dosage of apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate varies between individuals but, once established, remains relatively constant for each patient.

Precautions on continuing treatment

The daily dose of Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion varies widely between patients, typically within the range of 3-30 mg.

It is recommended that the total daily dose of apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate should not exceed 100 mg.

In clinical studies it has usually been possible to make some reduction in the dose of levodopa; this effect varies considerably between patients and needs to be carefully managed by an experienced physician.

Once treatment has been established, domperidone therapy may be gradually reduced in some patients but successfully eliminated only in a few, without any vomiting or hypotension.

Paediatric population

Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is contraindicated for children and adolescents under 18 years of age (see section 4.3).

Elderly

The elderly are well represented in the population of patients with Parkinson's disease and constitute a high proportion of those studied in clinical trials of apomorphine. The management of elderly patients treated with apomorphine has not differed from that of younger patients. However, extra caution is recommended during initiation of therapy in elderly patients because of the risk of postural hypotension.

Renal impairment

A dose schedule similar to that recommended for adults, and the elderly, can be followed for patients with renal impairment (see section 4.4).

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

In patients with respiratory depression, dementia, psychotic diseases or hepatic insufficiency.

Apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate treatment must not be administered to patients who have an “on” response to levodopa which is marred by severe dyskinesia or dystonia.

Concomitant use with ondansetron (see section 4.5).

Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion is contraindicated for children and adolescents under 18 years of age.

Apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate should be given with caution to patients with renal, pulmonary or cardiovascular disease and persons prone to nausea and vomiting.

Extra caution is recommended during initiation of therapy in elderly and/or debilitated patients.

Since apomorphine may produce hypotension, even when given with domperidone pre-treatment, care should be exercised in patients with pre-existing cardiac disease or in patients taking vasoactive medicinal products such as antihypertensives, and especially in patients with pre-existing postural hypotension.

Since apomorphine, especially at high dose, may have the potential for QT prolongation, caution should be exercised when treating patients at risk for torsades de pointes arrhythmia.

When used in combination with domperidone, risk factors in the individual patient should be carefully assessed. This should be done before treatment initiation, and during treatment. Important risk factors include serious underlying heart conditions such as congestive cardiac failure, severe hepatic impairment or significant electrolyte disturbance. Also medication possibly affecting electrolyte balance, CYP3A4 metabolism or QT interval should be assessed. Monitoring for an effect on the QTc interval is advisable. An ECG should be performed:

- prior to treatment with domperidone

- during the treatment initiation phase

- as clinically indicated thereafter

The patient should be instructed to report possible cardiac symptoms including palpitations, syncope, or near-syncope. They should also report clinical changes that could lead to hypokalaemia, such as gastroenteritis or the initiation of diuretic therapy.

At each medical visit, risk factors should be revisited.

Apomorphine is associated with local subcutaneous effects. These can sometimes be reduced by the rotation of injection sites or possibly by the use of ultrasound (if available) in order to avoid areas of nodularity and induration.

Haemolytic anaemia and thrombocytopenia have been reported in patients treated with apomorphine. Haematology tests should be undertaken at regular intervals as with levodopa, when given concomitantly with apomorphine.

Caution is advised when combining apomorphine with other medicinal products, especially those with a narrow therapeutic range (see Section 4.5).

Neuropsychiatric problems co-exist in many patients with advanced Parkinson's disease. There is evidence that for some patients neuropsychiatric disturbances may be exacerbated by apomorphine. Special care should be exercised when apomorphine is used in these patients.

Apomorphine has been associated with somnolence, and episodes of sudden sleep onset, particularly in patients with Parkinson's disease. Patients must be informed of this and advised to exercise caution while driving or operating machines during treatment with apomorphine. Patients who have experienced somnolence and/or an episode of sudden sleep onset must refrain from driving or operating machines. Furthermore, a reduction of dosage or termination of therapy may be considered.

Impulse control disorders

Patients should be regularly monitored for the development of impulse control disorders. Patients and carers should be made aware that behavioural symptoms of impulse control disorders including pathological gambling, increased libido, hypersexuality, compulsive spending or buying, binge eating and compulsive eating can occur in patients treated with dopamine agonists including apomorphine. Dose reduction/tapered discontinuation should be considered if such symptoms develop.

Dopamine dysregulation syndrome (DDS) is an addictive disorder resulting in excessive use of the product seen in some patients treated with apomorphine. Before initiation of treatment, patients and caregivers should be warned of the potential risk of developing DDS.

Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion contains sodium metabisulphite which may rarely cause severe hypersensitivity reactions and bronchospasm.

Dacepton 5 mg/ml contains 3.4 mg sodium per ml. To be taken into consideration by patients on a controlled sodium diet.

Patients selected for treatment with apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate are almost certain to be taking concomitant medications for their Parkinson's disease. In the initial stages of apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate therapy, the patient should be monitored for unusual side-effects or signs of potentiation of effect.

Neuroleptic medicinal products may have an antagonistic effect if used with apomorphine. There is a potential interaction between clozapine and apomorphine, however clozapine may also be used to reduce the symptoms of neuropsychiatric complications.

If neuroleptic medicinal products have to be used in patients with Parkinson's disease treated by dopamine agonists, a gradual reduction in apomorphine dose may be considered when administration is by minipump and or syringe-driver (symptoms suggestive of neuroleptic malignant syndrome have been reported rarely with abrupt withdrawal of dopaminergic therapy).

The possible effects of apomorphine on the plasma concentrations of other medicinal products have not been studied. Therefore caution is advised when combining apomorphine with other medicinal products, especially those with a narrow therapeutic range.

Antihypertensive and Cardiac Active Medicinal Products

Even when co-administered with domperidone, apomorphine may potentiate the antihypertensive effects of these medicinal products (see Section 4.4)

It is recommended to avoid the administration of apomorphine with other drugs known to prolong the QT interval.

Concomitant use of apomorphine with ondansetron may lead to severe hypotension and loss of consciousness and is therefore contraindicated (see section 4.3). Such effects might also occur with other 5-HT3 antagonists.

Pregnancy

There is no experience of apomorphine usage in pregnant women.

Animal reproduction studies do not indicate any teratogenic effects, but doses given to rats which are toxic to the mother can lead to failure to breathe in the newborn. The potential risk for humans is unknown. See Section 5.3.

Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary.

Breast-feeding

It is not known whether apomorphine is excreted in breast milk. A decision must be made whether to continue/discontinue breastfeeding or to continue/discontinue therapy with Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion taking into account the benefit of breast-feeding to the child and the benefit of Dacepton 5 mg/ml solution for infusion to the woman.

Apomorphine hydrochloride hemihydrate has minor or moderate influence on the ability to drive and use machines.

Patients being treated with apomorphine and presenting with somnolence and/or sudden sleep episodes must be informed to refrain from driving or engaging in activities (e.g. operating machines) where impaired alertness may put themselves or others at risk of serious injury or death until such recurrent episodes and somnolence have resolved (see also section 4.4).

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard.

There is little clinical experience of overdose with apomorphine by this route of administration. Symptoms of overdose may be treated empirically as suggested below:

Excessive emesis may be treated with domperidone.

Respiratory depression may be treated with naloxone.

Hypotension: appropriate measures should be taken, e.g. raising the foot of the bed.

Bradycardia may be treated with atropine.

Pharmacotherapeutic group: Anti-Parkinson drugs, dopamine agonists, ATC code: N04B C07

Mechanism of action

Apomorphine is a direct stimulant of dopamine receptors and while possessing both D1 and D2 receptor agonist properties does not share transport or metabolic pathways with levodopa.

Although in intact experimental animals, administration of apomorphine suppresses the rate of firing of nigro-striatal cells and in low dose has been found to produce a reduction in locomotor activity (thought to represent pre-synaptic inhibition of endogenous dopamine release) its actions on parkinsonian motor disability are likely to be mediated at post-synaptic receptor sites. This biphasic effect is also seen in humans.

After subcutaneous injection of apomorphine its fate can be described by a two-compartment model, with a distribution half-life of 5 (±1.1) minutes and an elimination half-life of 33 (±3.9) minutes. Clinical response correlates well with levels of apomorphine in the cerebrospinal fluid; the active substance distribution being best described by a two-compartment model. Apomorphine is rapidly and completely absorbed from subcutaneous tissue, correlating with the rapid onset of clinical effects (4-12 minutes), and that the brief duration of clinical action of the active substance (about 1 hour) is explained by its rapid clearance. The metabolism of apomorphine is by glucuronidation and sulphonation to at least ten per cent of the total; other pathways have not been described.

Repeat dose subcutaneous toxicity studies reveal no special hazard for humans, beyond the information included in other sections of the SmPC.

In vitro genotoxicity studies demonstrated mutagenic and clastogenic effects, most likely due to products formed by oxidation of apomorphine. However, apomorphine was not genotoxic in the in vivo studies performed.

The effect of apomorphine on reproduction has been investigated in rats. Apomorphine was not teratogenic in this species, but it was noted that doses which are toxic to the mother can cause loss of maternal care and failure to breathe in the newborn.

No carcinogenicity studies have been performed.

Sodium metabisulphite (E223)

Sodium chloride

Hydrochloric acid (for pH-adjustment)

Water for injections

In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.

Unopened: 30 months

After opening and filling the drug product in syringes attached with infusion sets: Chemical and physical in-use stability has been demonstrated for 7 days at 25 °C. From a microbiological point of view, unless the method of opening and further handling precludes the risk of microbial contamination, the product should be used immediately. If not used immediately, in-use storage times and conditions are the responsibility of the user.

Single use only.

Discard any unused contents.

Keep the vials in the outer carton in order to protect from light.

Do not refrigerate or freeze.

For storage conditions after first opening of the medicinal product, see section 6.3.

Clear glass vials, type I with bromobutyl rubber stopper and a flip-off cap, containing 20 ml solution for infusion, in packs of 1, 5 or 30 vials.

Bundle packs: 5 x 1, 10 x 1, 30 x 1, 2 x 5 and 6 x 5

Not all pack sizes may be marketed.

Do not use if the solution has turned green.

The solution should be inspected visually prior to use. Only clear and colourless to slightly yellow solutions without particles in undamaged containers should be used.

For single use only. Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed in accordance with local requirements.

Continuous infusion and the use of a minipump and or syringe-driver

The choice of which minipump and or syringe-driver to use, and the dosage settings required, will be determined by the physician in accordance with the particular needs of the patient.