PURPOSE: Transdermal transport rates of the dopamine agonist R-apomorphine were determined in patients with idiopathic Parkinsonʼs disease (IPD). Apomorphine was applied by iontophoresis at two current densities. METHODS: In ten patients apomorphine was applied passively for one hour. Thereafter, in the first five patients, a current density of 250 μA.cm was applied for one hour and a current density of 375 μA.cm in the second group. The individual pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained separately following a 15-minute zero-order intravenous infusion of 30 μg.kg. Skin resistance was measured during current delivery. Current-induced irritation was measured by Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF). The pharmacodynamics were quantified by a unilateral tapping score. Qualitative clinical improvements (decreased tremor, rigidity or cramp) were also recorded. RESULTS: In all patients increasing plasma concentrations of R-apomorphine were found during the interval of current application. The maximum concentrations that were attained were related to the applied current density: 1.3 ± 0.6 ng.ml at 250 μA.cm and 2.5 ± 0.7 ng.ml at 375 μA.cm. When the current was switched off all concentrations returned to baseline values in about 90 minutes. By mathematical deconvolution of the profiles it was shown that steady-state fluxes were reached within the one-hour interval of current driven transport. Steady-state fluxes were calculated to be 69 ± 30 nmol.cm.h at 250 μA.cm and 114 ± 34 nmol.cm.h at 375 μA.cm. Individual drug input rates were inversely related to the overall resistance. Significantly elevated LDF values were found after patch removal, indicating mild current induced erythema. Only subtherapeutic plasma concentrations were obtained in all patients except for one. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that current-dependent delivery of apomorphine is possible in vivo at acceptable levels of skin irritation. Excellent correlation was found between the calculated in vivo transport rates and the rates that were previously obtained in vitro.