What are continuous infusion pumps for apomorphine and levodopa?
Continuous infusion pumps are medical devices that deliver medication continuously and in a controlled manner through a small needle or catheter inserted under the skin. In the context of Parkinson’s disease, they are used to administer apomorphine or levodopa, two medications that help control the motor symptoms of the disease.
What is this treatment for?
Continuous infusion pumps for apomorphine and levodopa are used to:
- Control the motor symptoms of Parkinson’s disease: They help reduce tremors, rigidity, slowness of movement, and dyskinesias (involuntary movements).
- Reduce motor fluctuations: They help maintain more stable levels of medication in the body, which reduces the motor fluctuations (“on” and “off” periods) that can occur with oral medication administration.
- Improve quality of life: They can significantly improve the quality of life for patients with Parkinson’s disease by providing more stable and predictable control of motor symptoms.
Benefits of high technology in continuous infusion pumps
Continuous infusion pumps offer a series of key benefits thanks to the technology they use:
- Alarms and safety: They have alarms and safety systems that alert the patient in case of problems, such as catheter obstruction or battery depletion.
- Precise administration: They allow for the precise and controlled administration of medication, which helps maintain stable levels of the drug in the body.
- Personalized programming: They can be programmed to deliver different doses of medication at different times of the day, adapting to the individual needs of each patient.
- Portability: They are portable and easy to use, allowing patients to maintain an active lifestyle.
What is the procedure like?
The procedure for starting therapy with continuous infusion pumps generally proceeds as follows:
-
Preparation:
You will undergo a complete medical evaluation to determine if you are eligible for infusion pump therapy. You will be provided with detailed information about the infusion pump, how to use it, and how to troubleshoot common problems. Additionally, a titration will be performed to determine the optimal medication dose. This may require several visits to the doctor.
-
During the treatment:
A small needle or catheter will be inserted under your skin, usually in the abdomen or thigh. The infusion pump will be programmed to deliver the medication dose prescribed by your doctor.
-
After the treatment:
You will have regular follow-ups to monitor your response to the treatment and adjust the medication dose as needed. You will be given instructions on how to care for the catheter insertion site and how to troubleshoot common problems with the pump.
Recommendations for the treatment
Remember that it is important to follow these recommendations to ensure the quality of the study and your comfort:
- Follow your doctor’s instructions: Carefully follow all instructions provided by your doctor or hospital staff.
- Learn to use the pump: Make sure you understand how to use the infusion pump and how to troubleshoot common problems.
- Keep the catheter clean: Keep the catheter insertion site clean and dry to prevent infections.
- Report any problems: Inform your doctor about any problems you experience with the infusion pump, such as catheter obstruction or skin irritation.
Are there any risks?
Therapy with continuous infusion pumps is generally safe, but like any medical procedure, it has some minimal risks to consider:
- Infection: There is a risk of infection at the catheter insertion site.
- Skin irritation: The skin around the catheter insertion site may become irritated or inflamed, and subcutaneous nodules may also develop.
- Catheter obstruction: The catheter can become blocked, preventing the administration of the medication.
- Pump problems: Problems with the infusion pump can occur, such as battery depletion or device malfunction.
- Medication side effects: Side effects related to the medication being administered may occur, such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or dyskinesias (abnormal movements).
To ensure your treatment goes smoothly, we ask that you arrive before the scheduled time. This will allow us to complete the necessary administrative and clinical preparation.
Before the treatment, we will give you the Informed Consent, a document with important information that you must read and sign.
These treatments are very safe, but as with any medical procedure, there is a minimal possibility of an incident.
