The pharmaceutical apomorphine (by generic name) is the most likely candidate to repeat the success of the impotence drug sildenafil (Viagra). It may even outsell Viagra as its potential as a lifestyle drug is even greater.

While apomorphine has a definite potential as a pleasure drug, this is about all it has in common with its more famous colleague in name, morphine. Sure, apomorphine can be produced from morphine. But its pharmacological effects are completely different.

Morphine is a sedative agent, while apomorphine is a stimulant. Apomorphine primarily works as a dopamine agonist. Like most dopamine agonists, apomorphine is useful in the management of Parkinson's Disease (PD), a condition characterized by the loss of dopamine-producing neurons, or a decreased function of such neurons. Either way, a dopamine deficiency is the result, leading to severe motor function disturbance.

Apomorphine is a D1 receptor-specific dopamine agonist that makes it different from mostly ergot-derived dopamine agonists, which usually target D2 dopamine receptors, e.g. pergolide and bromocriptine. D3 and D4 dopamine receptors are less often targeted in the management of Parkinson's Disease.

It has long been documented that Parkinson's Disease medications have sexuality-enhancing side effects. It has to be noted that the sexuality-enhancing side effects hold true for many but not all dopamine-enhancing Parkinson's medications. Whether or not a dopamine agonist enhances sexual functions seems to depend primarily on the dopamine receptor sites it targets.

Apomorphine has been filed with the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, unlike sildenafil (Viagra), apomorphine exerts its pro-sexual effect not upon the erectile organ but upon the brain. Apomorphine provokes erections not by messing with the plumbing of male sexual function (speak: blood supply to the penis), but interferes with the wiring necessary for arousal, pleasure, and climax.

That Viagra only effects the plumbing, puts clear limits to its potential as a lifestyle drug. Viagra will do little for men whose plumbing doesn't leak.

On the other hand, a good shot of additional desire would be a welcome life enhancement for many people with whom there is nothing wrong physically but who just feel bored with their everyday life. For them, apomorphine could be a real enrichment, and even a medication that saves their marriages.