Stability of apomorphine in solutions containing ascorbic acid and bisulfite and effects of antioxidants on apomorphine-induced cage climbing and hypothermia in mice.

Ascorbic acid (100 mg/ml) and sodium bisulfite (0.5 and 20 mg/ml) prevented more than 10% oxidation of apomorphine hydrochloride in water maintained at room temperature over 1-3 days. Refrigeration at 5 degrees prevented oxidation of apomorphine hydrochloride in aqueous solutions for 1 week. Neither ascorbic acid nor sodium bisulfite affected murine stereotyped cage climbing or hypothermia induced by apaomorphine.