What is apomorphine?
Apomorphine is a dopamine receptor activator in the brain. Due to its effects on the Dopamine-2 receptor, its directly stimulates nerves that induce penile erection.
Is this a type of opioid?
While apomorphine is derived from dehydration of the morphine molecule, there are no opiate activities. This means that in a urine drug test, apomorphine will not show up as an opiate. Also, unlike opiates, apomorphine is not a scheduled medication.
What haven’t I heard about it before?
While apomorphine is more commonly used in treatment of Parkinson’s disease, it was found that low doses were enough to stimulate erection with minimal unintentional effects. Another issue was finding the right dose and route of administration. Recently, studies have found efficacious and safe methods of using this medication for erectile enhancement.
How do I take apomorphine?
Sublingual tablets of apomorphine are available for absorption underneath the tongue. The medication is absorbed within 7 minutes. Sometimes the tablet may not fully dissolve after 10 minutes, at this point the medication can simply be spit out-the effective dose has already been absorbed.
How long before intercourse should I take apomorphine and how long does it last?
Most men report effects within 20 minutes. Rarely this may take up to 50 minutes.
The effects typically last for hours, with plasma levels of apomorphine returning to normal after 8 hours. This means that no more than one (1) tablet should be used within an 8-hour period.
Does it have any effect in women?
Yes. Studies have investigated apomorphine for treatment of low arousal and sexual dysfunction in women, with results of increased sexual satisfaction scores.
What are the side effects?
Side effects are uncommon and include nausea, vomiting, headache, and dizziness. Rarely, syncope has been reported.
How is this different than Viagra?
Viagra is a PDE-5 inhibitor, which acts locally at the smooth muscle of the penis to enhance relaxation of the blood vessels of the penis. This results in increased blood flow to the penis, enhancing erection.
Apomorphine acts directly at the brain to stimulate nerves that innervate oxytocin-activated nerves in the spinal cord. These nerves trigger relaxation of the same smooth muscle of the corpora cavernosa, enhancing blood flow to the penis and thus erection.
While the end result is the same, the pathway for enhanced erection is distinctly different. Viagra affects the blood vessels directly, apomorphine exerts its effects through the nervous system.
