small text medium font large font
 
Troubleshooting Your APOKYN ® Pen


If you are having a problem administering a dose of APOKYN (apomorphine hydrochloride injection) using the APOKYN pen, please consult the troubleshooting table below for a recommended solution. For instructions on how to perform the recommended solution, click on the appropriate link.

Do not attempt to repair a damaged APOKYN pen. Contact your specialty pharmacy provider for a new one.

If you still have a problem with your APOKYN pen after following the instructions in this guide, please call the APOKYN Call Center at 1-877-7APOKYN (1-877-727-6596).

Problem Possible Cause Possible Solution
Too much force is required to depress the teal (dark greenish-blue) injection button Defective APOKYN cartridge Replace the APOKYN cartridge
Dose numbers aren't visible through the white dose window Incorrect cleaning or improper handling Replace the APOKYN pen
Teal injection button won't depress The APOKYN cartridge is empty Replace the APOKYN cartridge
Teal injection button stops before delivering a complete dose Not enough medicine in the APOKYN cartridge to give a complete dose Note the number in the white dose window. Replace the APOKYN cartridge. Set the dose to the number that last appeared in the white dose window, and administer the injection
Dose numbers and/or white markers have worn off Repeated use over extended period of time Replace the APOKYN pen
No medicine comes out of the APOKYN pen (dosage dial moves freely, but there is no click) The APOKYN pen is in dose correction mode Depress the teal injection button to return the dosage dial to zero
Dosage dial doesn't return to zero during injection The APOKYN cartridge is empty Replace the APOKYN cartridge
The APOKYN pen needle is clogged Replace the APOKYN pen needle
Dosage dial doesn't turn easily Dust or dirt on the APOKYN pen Turn the dial past the highest setting on the APOKYN pen. Wipe all exposed APOKYN pen surfaces with a clean, damp cloth
APOKYN pen doesn't close The APOKYN cartridge is not inserted correctly Remove and reload the APOKYN cartridge


REPLACE APOKYN CARTRIDGE
To Replace an APOKYN Cartridge:
  • Properly remove and discard the needle attached to the pen
  • Unscrew the teal cartridge holder from the gray pen body
  • Remove the old APOKYN cartridge
  • Insert a new APOKYN cartridge, metal cap first, into the teal cartridge holder
    • Important: Only use APOKYN that is clear and colorless. Do not use an APOKYN cartridge that contains medicine that is cloudy, green, or contains particles
  • Lower the gray pen body into the teal cartridge holder so the black rod presses against the cartridge plunger
  • Screw the teal cartridge holder onto the gray pen body
  • Tighten the pieces until no gap remains and one of the white arrows lines up with the white line on the gray pen body
back to Troubleshooting Chart

REMOVE AND RELOAD APOKYN CARTRIDGE
To Remove and Reload an APOKYN Cartridge:
  • Unscrew the teal cartridge holder from the gray pen body
  • Remove the APOKYN cartridge from the teal cartridge holder
  • Reinsert the APOKYN cartridge, metal cap first, into the teal cartridge holder
  • Lower the gray pen body into the teal cartridge holder so the black rod presses against the cartridge plunger
  • Screw the teal cartridge holder onto the gray pen body
  • Tighten the pieces until no gap remains and one of the white arrows lines up with the white line on the gray pen body
back to Troubleshooting Chart

REPLACE APOKYN PEN NEEDLE
To Replace an APOKYN Pen Needle:
  • Place the outer needle shield for the needle attached to the pen, facing up, into the notch located on the far left side of the APOKYN pen carrying case
  • Carefully insert the needle into the opening of the shield
  • Without holding onto the shield, push down firmly
  • Holding the pen by the teal cartridge holder, unscrew the pen needle unit from the pen
  • Remove the pink paper tab from the back of a new pen needle
  • Holding the APOKYN pen by the teal cartridge holder, push the pen needle unit onto the pen
  • Screw the threaded hub of the pen needle onto the teal cartridge holder with a turning motion
  • When the needle unit is attached, remove the outer shield with a gentle pull
back to Troubleshooting Chart

REPLACE APOKYN PEN
To Replace Your APOKYN Pen:
  • Contact your specialty pharmacy provider
    • Accredo Nova Factor, 1-866-898-0104
    • PharmaCare, 1-800-238-7828
back to Troubleshooting Chart
90% of patients achieved a therapeutic response within 20 minutes that was approximately equivalent to their usual response to levodopa (n=20). APOKYN is used as needed to treat off-episode motor symptoms, including muscle stiffness, slow movements, and difficulty starting movements, associated with advanced PD.
  APOKYN is a registered trademark of Vernalis Pharmaceuticals Inc. This site is intended for use by United States residents only.
  ©2007 Vernalis Pharmaceuticals Inc. Authorized Distributor of Record. All rights reserved.