What is Apomorphine?

It was historically taken by injection or tablet under the tongue. However, it is now possible for it to be taken as a nasal spray or a patch.

It was found to be very helpful for helping alcoholics to calm down by doctors in the very early 20th century. From there, some doctors noticed it had helpful effects on alcoholic craving in patients.

It disappeared partly because the treatment of addicts moved from being a concern of doctors to that of psychiatrists, and the proponents of apomorphine treatment were mostly medical doctors. When they died, their methods and treatment were mostly forgotten

Yes. The drug is known to be safe and is available now for other conditions. With enough public interest a trial could easily happen.

No. It is not morphine and does not have the additive or euphoric effects of morphine; there are almost no cases in the literature of anybody abusing apomorphine, not least because it causes nausea in high doses.

In low doses: sleep, relaxation.
In high doses: nausea, vomiting, nightmares, cardiac events.

Like most drugs, it can be dangerous when taken in exceptionally high doses. However, it is one of the oldest and most well-studied drugs known to medical science – it has few side effects, and they are well known.

Yes, it is currently available as a treatment for Parkinson’s disease (apokyn), erectile dysfunction (uprima) and as an emetic for pets.

*Pharmacologically controlled drinking in the treatment of alcohol dependence or alcohol use disorders: a systematic review with direct and network meta-analyses on nalmefene, naltrexone, acamprosate, baclofen and topiramate. 28.07.17.