Rumor vs Truth - Evidence‑Based Mythbusting for Healthcare Professionals

Vaccine rumors keep going viral…but which ones actually hold up when you look at the evidence?

In this episode, pharmacists Don Weinberger and Steve Small take on the vaccine claims patients bring to the counter, with insight from infectious disease expert Dr. William Schaffner of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. 

·         💉 Does giving multiple vaccines at once overload the immune system?

Plus, Fast Facts on egg allergies and flu shots, the truth about thimerosal...

Generic drugs save money, but do they lower the bar? 

From what "bioequivalent" really requires to why an authorized generic can look just like the brand name, a lot of what gets assumed about generic drugs hasn't caught up with how tightly this corner of pharmacy is actually regulated. 

In this episode, Don and Steve pick apart the claims pharmacists hear most about generic drugs.

Naloxone and nalmefene are reaching more hands than ever—through bystander programs, pharmacy dispensing protocols, and over-the-counter sales. But as access expands, one question keeps coming up:

Does easier access to naloxone or nalmefene actually make opioid misuse worse?

In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we answer a listener question about whether increasing naloxone and nalmefene access encourages opioid misuse or overdose. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD, and Steve Small, PharmD, bring in addiction medicine specialist Dr. Nicole Gastala, MD, to un...

Opioid Rules of Thumb Are Sticky—Even When the Evidence Moves On. 

From how quickly dependence risk starts to whether the newest non-opioid really replaces an opioid, a lot of advice is still running on assumptions learned years ago. 

In this episode, Don and Steve separate opioid fact from folklore by challenging long-held assumptions with the latest evidence.   

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Can polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350, Miralax) affect the absorption of other medications?

In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we answer a listener question about whether polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350) should be separated from other medications and, if so, by how long. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD and Steve Small, PharmD break down what the evidence actually shows about laxatives, intestinal transit time, and medication absorption.

Together, they discuss:

The Constipation Conversation Has Been Backed Up for Years.

From fears about laxative dependence to questions about pediatric safety, some laxative myths are still stuck in the system… despite growing evidence to the contrary.

In this episode, Don and Steve tackle some of the most common claims healthcare professionals hear about constipation treatment—and explore what the research really says. 

We’ll...

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Ivermectin continues to come up in patient conversations—and not just for adults.

Can ivermectin now be used safely in all kids after the recent KIDs List update?

In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we answer a listener question about ivermectin use in kids. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD and Steve Small, PharmD break down what actually changed with ivermectin in the 2025 update to the KIDs List—and what it does (and doesn’t) mean for clinical practi...

Ivermectin Is Back in the Conversation—But What Should Healthcare Teams Know?

From expanded OTC access in some states to persistent online claims, ivermectin is once again popping up in patient conversations—and bringing plenty of confusion with it.

In this episode, Don and Steve dig into what’s driving the buzz and what the evidence actually shows across a surprisingly wide range of uses. From viral misinformation to emerging global health research, they explore where ivermectin fits… and where it doesn’t.

Along the way, they tackle one of the biggest challenges in practic...

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Gabapentin is showing up more often in veterinary care —but that raises an important question:

Is gabapentin toxic in animals?

In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we answer a listener question about gabapentin use in pets. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD and Steve Small, PharmD dig into what’s really behind concerns about toxicity—and bring in veterinary toxicology expert Dr. Tina Wismer to help clarify the risks.

Together, they discuss:

Gabapentin has become a go-to option across a wide range of clinical scenarios—but how well does it actually hold up under closer scrutiny?

In this episode, Don Weinberger and Steve Small take a closer look at how gabapentin performs in real-world use—and where expectations may not match the data.

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Shorter antibiotic courses are becoming the norm—but that raises an important question we hear all the time:

Can patients stop antibiotics early once they start feeling better?

In this BONUS mailbag episode of Rumor vs Truth, we step outside our regular format to answer a single listener question submitted through our fan mail audio line. Hosts Don Weinberger, PharmD and Steve Small, PharmD revisit antimicrobial stewardship and bring back infectious‑diseases pharmacist Dr. Madeline King to...

Antimicrobial stewardship is everywhere—but best approaches are still debated.

In this episode, Don and Steve separate fact from fiction around antimicrobial stewardship - taking a closer look at how antibiotics are used in everyday practice—and where common beliefs may fall short.

To answer those questions, we’ll narrow the spectrum of rumors and uncover the truth about these claims:

AI is fast.
AI is fluent.
AI is confident.

But is it clinically trustworthy?

🤖 AI can generate answers in seconds.
But good healthcare decisions require more than speed.

As AI tools become more accessible across healthcare, the line between assistance and authority is starting to blur.

Don and Steve put artificial intelligence under the microscope—cutting through hype to examine how AI is actually performing in healthcare today.

They tackle the questions healthcare professionals are already facing:

🧠 Which clinical...

Hair today… gone tomorrow? Don and Steve are combing through the claims to find out what really works. In this episode, they separate fact from fiction about hair loss treatments, tackling everything from minoxidil and finasteride to natural remedies and trending techniques.

💊Does oral minoxidil really outperform topical versions?
🧴Is topical finasteride genuinely a safer workaround, or do the same systemic side effects still sneak through?
🌿Are “natural” options like rosemary oil and saw palmetto actually regrowing hair… or just regrowing rumors?

Bad hair days meet bold claims — and our hosts are on the case. St...

Hot flashes or cool facts… are menopause and hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in the middle of the rumors? In this episode, Don and Steve turn up the heat on common claims about estrogen therapy and menopause management. Joined by guest expert Sara Klockars, PharmD, BCPS, they separate fact from fiction and share practical tips for clinicians.

🔥 Is HRT the go-to for every patient with hot flashes?
💊 Are bioidentical hormones truly better… or just better marketed?
🩹 Is topical estrogen safer than oral therapy?
🎗 Does hormone therapy raise breast cancer risk… or is the evidence mo...

Are GLP-1 side effects food for thought or just food for rumors? In this episode, Don and Steve dig into the evidence behind the most talked-about risks of GLP-1 agonists, separating clinical truth from rumors and headlines.

🦱 Are these meds thinning waistlines—and hairlines?
🚹 Do GLP-1s cause erectile dysfunction—or could they actually help?
🛑Is holding GLP-1s before surgery a must, or just medical myth?

Our clinical sleuths investigate whether these claims hold up:

Is your favorite cold fix fact—or folklore? In this episode, hosts Don and Steve team up with special guest Jeff Langford, PharmD, from TRC’s NatMed team, to bust the biggest myths about natural remedies for cold and flu. Together, they dig into the roots of popular remedies—from pharmacy shelves to grandma’s kitchen—to uncover what’s backed by evidence.

🍯 Is honey for cough a sweet solution or just a sticky myth?
🫐 Elderberry syrup: flu fighter or fruity fad?
🌱 Are homeopathic flu remedies backed by science?

Get ready for the verdict on th...

We loved our conversation with Dr. Jayson Chalmers, DDS so much that we’re sharing the full, never‑before‑heard interview. It goes deeper than our last episode “Dental Dilemmas” on the history of fluoridation, chemistry, dosing, safety signals, and what clinicians should actually recommend. 

** No CE credit for this bonus episode. (CE returns with our next regular episode on cold & flu.) **

 What you’ll learn:

In this episode, Don and Steve separate fact from fiction about meds and oral health.

💊 Could your favorite mouthwash be more “spirited” than you think?
😬 Can a key medication for opioid use disorder quietly sabotage your smile?
🦷 What really happens when you put aspirin on a toothache—relief, or regret? 

Ready to brush up on the facts and drill down to the truth? No need to sugarcoat it, our myth-busting pharmacist duo (and a special dentist guest expert) are here to rinse away the rumors and polish up the evidence!

Claims:

In this “Quick Verdicts” episode, hosts Don Weinberger and Steve Small separate fact from fiction about whether acetaminophen use during pregnancy increases the risk of neurologic disorders in kids.   

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:  

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The clinical resources mentioned during the podcast are part of a subscription to Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, and Prescriber Insights:  

In this episode, Don and Steve flex their clinical muscles and bust myths about testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) - from supplements to safety risks.

🐶 Can topical testosterone transfer to pets and kids?
💊 Are supplements like ginseng and vitamin D legit testosterone boosters?
❤️ Does testosterone increase cardiovascular risk?

Stick around as our pharmacist duo breaks down the evidence and shares insights on these hot-button hormone claims:

In this episode, hosts Don and Steve tackle one of the most common (and commonly misunderstood) skin conditions: acne. Joined by dermatology expert Sara Klockars, PharmD, BCPS, the team breaks down the myths, meds, and marketing claims that surround acne treatment. 

💊Do doxycycline and minocycline treat acne the same way? 
🧼Is it possible to wash your face TOO much?  
🪥And can toothpaste really help banish blemishes? 

🤔Pop in as we clear up the evidence and face the facts! 

They’ll share research and insights into some interesting cl...

In this episode, hosts Don Weinberger and Steve Small throw some serious shade at common sunscreen myths—and yes, Steve may or may not be rocking a fake sunburn.🌞

🧴 Does a higher SPF really mean better protection?
🌤️ Can sunscreen mess with your vitamin D levels?
⚠️ Are sunscreen ingredients secretly harmful?

 🕶️ Grab your shades and join our myth-busting duo as they shine a light on the facts about these hot-button sunscreen claims:

🎉 In this special anniversary episode, Don and Steve throw it back to 1985 —complete with mullets 🦱, mustaches 🥸, and popped collars 👔—to celebrate 40 years of the Pharmacist’s Letter! 

🗂️ Join them as they dig into the archives and revisit some of the earliest (and wildest) claims ever published.

They’ll reexamine research and insights into claims from yesteryear including:

In this episode, hosts Don Weinberger and Steve Small separate fact from fiction about dyes in medications and food.

🚫 Why is the FDA banning certain artificial dyes, and what does it mean for your meds and favorite foods? 
💊 Can the color of your pills really affect how you feel about them?
🐀 Why do we talk so much about rats and sewers in this episode? 

🌈 Folks are dye-ing to know the truth...let’s find out!

They’ll share research and insights into some interesting claims including:

In this episode, hosts Don Weinberger and Steve Small separate fact from fiction about expired medications.  

📅 How are med expiration dates chosen? Is it science or just a guess?
⏳ Can a medication that’s older than the FDA itself… still work?
💊 Are meds no longer effective after they expire?

⏰ It’s time to uncover the truth behind meds that are past their prime!

They’ll share research and insights into some interesting claims including:

In this episode, hosts Don Weinberger and Steve Small separate fact from fiction when it comes to claims about tetracyclines. 

🦷 Will doxycycline stain children’s teeth? 
☠️ Is expired tetracycline truly deadly? 
🐱 What do cats have to do with all this? 

🚴‍♂️ Let’s cycle through the facts! 

They’ll share research and insights into some interesting claims including:

In this episode, hosts Don Weinberger and Steve Small separate fact from fiction about hangover remedies. 

 💧 Does drinking water actually help prevent symptoms? 
 🤕 Is acetaminophen safe for hangover headaches? 

 🔨 Let’s hammer out the facts! 

They’ll share research and insights into some interesting claims including:

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TRC Healthcare Editor Ho...

In this premiere episode, hosts Don Weinberger and Steve Small separate fact from fiction about medication interactions with fruit juices. 

 🍊 Does that morning grapefruit really matter with your medications? 
 👍 Are some juices beneficial? 

 🍹 Let's squeeze out the truth! 

They’ll share research and insights into some interesting claims including: