Apomorphine


![Flow chart depicting the states leading to Alzheimer's disease. Apomorphine is shown in its role, as proposed by Himeno et al., hindering the progression of the disease.[15]](/uploads/202412/21/Apomorphine_therapeutic_scheme4428.png)
![Conversion of Morphine (I) to Apomorphine (II) in the presence of acid following the example of the morphine skeleton dehydration rearrangement, outlined by Bentley.[24]](/uploads/202412/21/Morphine_to_Apomorphine4428.png)
Apomorphine (brand names Apokyn, Ixense, Spontane, Uprima) is a non-selective dopamine agonist which activates both D2-like and, to an order of magnitude lesser extent, D1-like receptors. It also acts as an antagonist of 5-HT2 and α-adrenergic receptors with high affinity. The compound is historically a morphine decomposition product by boiling with concentrated acid, hence the -morphine suffix. Apomorphine does not actually contain morphine or its skeleton, nor does it bind to opioid receptors. The apo- prefix relates to it being an aporphine derivative.