Administration
As age and Pd progresses, the body’s ability, in particular the gut’s ability, to absorb and utilise oral medication decreases. Medication that isn’t utilised by the body can then add to the side effects such as involuntary movements, confusion and hallucinations
APO-go is administered into the fatty tissue under the skin (subcutaneous tissue) via a very fine needle in one of two ways:
1) Intermittent Injections via the APO-go PEN at intervals throughout the day or
2) As a continuous infusion using a small pump carried in a pouch around the waist
Intermittent Injection sites are the upper, outer thigh and in the abdomen below the level of the umbilicus. Injections can be given through a thin layer of clothing if necessary.
Continuous Infusion sites are primarily as for the intermittent injection. Hospital staff will show you suitable sites.
The intermittent injection of APO-go is also known as bolus dose or "penject" therapy. This is highly recommended for patients who suffer some occasional "off" periods not controlled by oral medications that are predictable, such as first thing in the morning, gaps in oral dosing, dose failures, or stressful situations. These "off" episodes are not severe or frequent enough to warrant a total change in the treatment regime so patients continue on their oral medication, injecting to reverse "off" periods when needed.
The continuous infusion is used when a patients symptoms require greater control. Generally it is used for 14-16 hours a day, during the patients waking day but can sometimes be used at night if patients are suffering from poor quality sleep or pain.
The very fine needle has been specifically designed for the fatty tissue under the skin. Inserted at 45 degrees or more, the medication is deposited into the tissue and readily absorbed. In continuous infusion, the needle is secured by a lightweight see-through dressing.
The area of skin injected must be kept clean and free from highly perfumed products. Some patients may experience 'nodules' - lumps and bumps under the skin where the needle is sited when using continuous infusion, however good skin care routines can help to reduce these.
- Make sure your hands, injection site and preparation surfaces are clean
- Always insert the needle at 45 degrees. If the needle is too close to the skin's surface it will cause irritation
- Rotate the injection site on a daily basis
- Regularly (once or twice a day) massage the skin with a simple moisturiser. Do not
- massage areas that are red and painful to touch
After conducting the Challenge test, your individual dose would be identified for ongoing APO-go therapy. See PEN or Pump pages for more information.