Thursday, July 12, 2012

Wanderlust: A Movie Review


I recently watched the movie Wanderlust starring Paul Rudd and Jennifer Aniston. The movie was not really that great but it was ok. The story, for me, was not as enticing but the director did attempt to make it funny. There are scenes that made me laugh, and some made me wince a little, which means I'm affected by the particular scene in some way.
The story is about a struggling couple who left the city when the husband suddenly got unemployed. On their way to Atlanta, they bumped into a group of people who call themselves an intentional commune in  a place they call the Elysium. The love and faith of the couple for each other is tested during their stay in this place. 
The couple started to realize certain things and in the end, they realized that their love for each other is still more than anything else. That together they can brave anything that comes their way.
I did enjoy the movie but it is not something that I would want to watch again. It is a funny movie and Jennifer Aniston is really sexy.
I rate this movie 3.5 out of 5 stars.








Monday, July 9, 2012

Gabapentin for Dogs – Canine Treatment for Pain


Gabapentin for dogs is a medication used to treat chronic pain due to arthritis and cancer. It is also prescribed for treatment of seizures. Originally, this drug is used to treat epilepsy and relieve pain in humans. Now it is commonly used to treat chronic pain and control seizures in cats and dogs. Gabapentin has been observed to be most effective in combination with other analgesics including NSAIDs.
Gabapentin is not approved by the FDA to be used in veterinary medicine, although it has been a common practice for veterinarians to prescribe this medicine or treating seizures and chronic pain in dogs. Gabapentin is sold per capsule and a prescription from your veterinarian is required. This drug is commonly found in oral form which is absorbed by the duodenum and metabolized partly by the liver. You must tell your veterinarian of your dog suffers from liver problems as Gabapentin may cause severe side effects.
You must take note that the Gabapentin for humans are not intended to be used for dogs. The human form of Gabapentin contains Xylitol which is toxic to canines. For lactating and pregnant animals, Gabapentin should only be given if absolutely necessary as it may lead to fetal loss.
Gabapentin for dogs may cause mild sedation, lethargy and drowsiness, although this is just a minor side effect. In other cases, muscles may not work properly together (imbalance) or symptoms of ataxia may occur. It may also cause vomiting and diarrhea to some canines. You must inform your vet if your dog experiences any of this side effects.This medication cannot be stopped abruptly or it will cause your dog to have seizure or rebound pain. The veterinarian will gradually lower the dose until it is safe to stop the medication.






How Does Gabapentin Work

Gabapentin prevents seizures by stabilizing the excessive electrical activity in the brain. It copies the activity of GABA which is a neurotransmitter to help calm the brain’s nerve activity.
In dogs, Gabapentin in oral form is absorbed in the duodenum. Peak level approximately occurs after one to two hours after taking the drug. It is partly metabolized by the liver and flushed out by the kidneys. This medication is commonly used as an added therapy for refractory idiopathic epilepsy.
Laboratory testing in animals showed that Gabapentin can cause fetal loss and is also associated with teratogenic effects. Pregnant or lactating animals should only be given Gabapentin when extremely necessary as it is also present in milk.
It is important to note that Gabapentin may interact with other drugs. Antacids must not be given within two hours after taking the medication as it may affect the blood levels of your dog. It may also interact with medications such as hydrocodone ad morphine. It must be kept away from children and pets. Store it in room temperature where there is no heat and moisture.
Gabpentin for dogs must only be given to your pet if prescribed by the veterinarian to avoid potentially harmful side effects to your pet.



Gabapentin Abuse – Risk Of Addiction With Gabapentin



Gabapentin abuse has been reported and it includes staggering or taking more than what is prescribed to achieve the feeling of “high”. Other forms of abuse include chewing the pill into a powder and absorbed through swallowing or through the lining of the mouth. Snorting a powderized Gabapentin has also been reported.
Gabapentin (Neurontin) was one of the world’s best selling drugs but 70 to 90 percent are due to off-label exploitation. It has been prescribed for bipolar disorder, migraine, pain and attention deficit syndrome. Due to high level of prescriptions, it is available for consumption for anyone who needs it, even for those who intend to use it for other means.
The abuse of this drug is due to off-label prescriptions that are not approved by the FDA. Due to the high number of prescriptions of this drug, it is very accessible to everyone, even to those who abuse the drug.
Other people continue using Gabapentin to avoid withdrawal symptoms. Due to this, drug tolerance happens and higher dosage of this drug is taken which leads to drug dependence. This dependence results to drug addiction in the long run. Abrupt cessation of the medicine will result to seizure even if you don’t have one before and can aggravate existing seizures.
If the Gabapentin abuse is due to treat mood disorders, tardive dyskinesia or anxiety, there might be a bigger problem. Very little studies have proven the effectiveness of this drug to treat these ailments and the chances of drug addiction due to improper use of this medicine is higher. The FDA has approved Gabapentin to use as an added medication for control of partial seizure. Doctors are not held by the FDA standards so they cannot be persecuted due to off-label prescription. Patients should be diligent in dealing with medications such as this.
When you are already suffering from Gabapentin addiction, your doctor can help you wean off the drug by gradually lowering the dosage of the drug. The amount of time you will go through weaning from the drug will depend on how long you have been abusing the drug and how high is the dosage you are taking. The half life elimination of Gabapentin in the system is five to seven hours. It usually takes two days for the drug to clear off the system.
Like any other medication, Gabapentin is not without side effects which include dizziness, drowsiness, problems with coordination, infections, fever, nausea, vomiting, fluid retention or swelling on the arms, legs, feet and hands and unusual eye movements. Other less common side effects include tremor or shakiness, blurred vision or double vision, fatigue or weakness, drying mouth, weight gain, sore throat, speech issues ad nervousness.
During the weaning period, you must not alter the prescribed dosage or take longer than prescribed as you are still at risk of seizure. If you are switching to a different seizure medication to stop Gabapentin abuse, you must not stop until you reach an effective dose of your new medication to lower the risk of seizure.