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.

• 📜 Have some past vaccines really had safety issues…and what changed?
• 🧪 Is the aluminum in vaccines toxic?
• 👶 Do HPV vaccines affect fertility?

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

Plus, Fast Facts on egg allergies and flu shots, the truth about thimerosal, and where to find our take on whether mRNA vaccines change your DNA.

Roll up your sleeves…we’re following the evidence wherever it leads.

Key claims explored in this episode include:

• Some PAST vaccines had notable safety issues
• Aluminum ingredients in vaccines are toxic
• HPV vaccines cause infertility
• Giving multiple vaccines overwhelms the immune system

🏷️ Use code rvt1026 at checkout for 10% off a new or upgraded subscription.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• William Schaffner, MD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

******

CE Information:

For the purposes of disclosure, Dr. William Schaffner reports a relevant financial relationship [honorarium: RSV infections in adults CME] with Abbott Diagnostics. The other speakers have nothing to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

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

• Algorithm: Vaccine Adherence: Addressing Myths and Hesitancy
• FAQ: HPV Vaccination
• Chart: Flu Vaccines for 2026-27 (United States)
• FAQ: Communicating About Flu Vaccination
• Article: Address Vaccine Concerns That Keep Going Viral
• Toolbox: Resources for Discussing Medical Misinformation

Want to report a possible vaccine reaction? Healthcare professionals and patients can submit reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS).

******

Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools:

🏷️ Use code rvt1026 at checkout for 10% off a new or upgraded subscription.

🎓 If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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.

• 🔬 Do generics really get held to a lower approval or quality bar than the brand drug?
• 📦 Is an authorized generic just the brand drug repackaged in a different box?
• 🔄 Is it safe to switch between generics from different manufacturers?
• 📛 Are generic drug names really just made up?

We'll check the label on the evidence and find out which generic claims are the real deal:

• Generics have lower approval and quality standards.
• Authorized generics are the same product as the brand drug.
• Switching between generics is safe.
• Generic drug names are just made up.

🏷️ Use code rvt1026 at checkout for 10% off a new or upgraded subscription.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Doug Hoey, RPh, MBA (Chief Executive Officer of the National Community Pharmacists Association, NCPA)

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist's Letter, Pharmacy Technician's Letter, or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

The clinical resources related to this podcast are part of a subscription to Pharmacist's Letter, Pharmacy Technician's Letter, and Prescriber Insights:

• Website: Report a Problem to the FDA
• Website: FDA Enforcement Reports
• CE Course: Overview of Generic Substitution
• Chart: Anticipated Availability of First-Time Generics
• Podcast: Rumor vs Truth - Color Coded
• FAQ: Facts About Biosimilars
• Podcast: Medication Talk - Biosimilars in Action

******

Don't miss out! Subscribe today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools.

🎓 If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

******

Rumor vs Truth is a production of TRC Healthcare.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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 unpack what the evidence actually shows.

Together, they discuss:

• Whether increasing naloxone or nalmefene access actually encourages riskier opioid use
• What a large systematic review and 2025 American Heart Association guidance say about public-access naloxone
• Why carrying naloxone is more like carrying an EpiPen than a “permission slip” for risk
• The one real risk to watch for after a reversal: precipitated withdrawal
• Why OTC naloxone and statewide pharmacy dispensing protocols matter for practice

No CE credit is available for this bonus episode.
Want the full breakdown? CE credit is available for our full episode on opioids.

******

🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

• Rumor vs Truth: Laxatives
(Opioid FACTS OR FEARS?)
🎧Listen: https://rumorvstruth.buzzsprout.com/episodes/19647733
▶️ Watch: https://youtu.be/sl3upSCxfwM

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

• Steve Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guest

• Dr. Nicole Gastala, MD

******

Clinical Resources:

• FAQ: Meds for Opioid Overdose
• Checklist: Opioid Reversal Agents Quick Start Guide

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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.

• 💊 How fast can dependence risk start after a first prescription?
• 🆕 Does suzetrigine (Journavx) give opioids a run for their money with safety?
• 🩹 Do antihistamines actually touch opioid-induced itching?
• 🧩 And why is 'never use opioids' the wrong rule for patients with OUD?

We'll titrate the puns and press on a few pain points to get to the truth behind these claims:

• Dependence risk can increase soon after initiating opioids.
• Suzetrigine is safer than opioids.
• Antihistamines are very effective for opioid-induced pruritus (itching).
• Patients with opioid use disorder (OUD) cannot be treated with opioids for pain.

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

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

• Article: Take the Pain out of Debunking Opioid-Related Rumors
• Checklist: Opioid Stewardship Checklist
• Chart: Analgesics for Acute Pain in Adults
• Algorithm: Investigating Possible Drug Allergy
• Checklist: Opioid Reversal Agents Quick Start Guide
• FAQ: Meds for Opioid Overdose
• Chart: Equianalgesic Dosing of Opioids for Pain Management
• Chart: Managing Cough and Cold Symptoms
• FAQ: Treatment of Acute Pain in Opioid Use Disorder

******

Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools.

🎓 If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

Send us Fan Mail

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:

• Can PEG 3350 reduce the absorption of certain medications?
• Which medications might warrant extra caution when taken with PEG 3350?
• When spacing PEG 3350 doses may be reasonable...and when it may be unnecessary
• Practical counseling tips to balance adherence with potential interaction concerns

No CE credit is available for this bonus episode.
Want the full breakdown? CE credit is available for our full episode on laxatives.

******

🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

• Rumor vs Truth: Laxatives
(Effective… or Hard Pass?)
🎧Listen: https://rumorvstruth.buzzsprout.com/episodes/19520800
▶️ Watch: https://youtu.be/o3GlBngiaag

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

• Steve Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Clinical Resources:

• FAQ: Management of Constipation

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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.

• 💩 Why does docusate remain so popular if the evidence is questionable?
• ⚠️ Should patients worry about becoming dependent on stimulant laxatives?
• 🧩 What's behind the PEG 3350 autism controversy?
• 🤰 Are magnesium-based laxatives really unsafe during pregnancy?

We’ll leave no stool unturned as we get to the bottom of these claims:

• Oral docusate isn’t an effective laxative.
• Chronic stimulant laxatives damage the gut.
• PEG 3350 causes autism and behavioral changes in kids.
• Magnesium-based laxatives aren’t safe to use in pregnancy.

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Nina Pascua, MD, PharmD, MSCE, MBA

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter,or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

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

• FAQ: Management of Constipation
• Website: Eating Disorders (National Institutes of Health)
• Toolbox: Resources for Discussing Medication Misinformation
• Chart: GI Med Use in Pregnancy and Lactation

******

Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools.

🎓 If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

Send us Fan Mail

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 practice. This “kid-sized” question packs a bigger clinical punch than you might expect.

Together, they discuss:

• What actually drove the KIDs List change
• Where the supporting evidence is strong—and where it’s limited
• Why “removed from the list” ≠ “safe for all kids”
• How to apply this update in real-world pediatric decisions

No CE credit is available for this bonus episode.
Want the full breakdown? CE credit is available for our full episode on ivermectin.

******

🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

• Rumor vs Truth: Ivermectin
(Over the Counter or Out of Control?)
🎧Listen: https://rumorvstruth.buzzsprout.com/episodes/19333230
▶️ Watch: https://youtu.be/-ehs0ucbaTQ

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

• Steve Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Clinical Resource:

• Chart: Potentially Harmful Drugs in Children

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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 practice: how to respond when patients ask about therapies fueled more by headlines than high-quality data—and how to keep those conversations grounded, practical, and patient-centered. Plus, they feature insights from an oncology specialist on real-world patient scenarios.

• 🦠 Is ivermectin still being used for COVID-19—and what does the latest evidence really show?
• 🧬 How should healthcare professionals respond to patients asking about ivermectin for cancer?
• 💊 When might oral ivermectin make sense for certain conditions, like rosacea?
• 🌍 Could ivermectin help reduce malaria transmission—and why does context matter?

Let’s worm through the data and track down what holds up—and what doesn’t.

They put these claims under the microscope:

• Ivermectin prevents and cures COVID-19.
• Ivermectin prevents and cures cancer.
• Oral ivermectin may improve rosacea.
• Ivermectin can reduce malaria transmission.

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Leslie Gingo, PharmD, BCPS

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

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

• Chart: COVID-19 Vaccines
• Chart: Managing Cough and Cold Symptoms
• CE Course: Supplements During Cancer Treatment
• CE Course: Lifestyle and Cancer Risk
• Chart: Treatments for Rosacea
• CE Course: Managing Common Travel-Related Illnesses
• Toolbox: Resources for Discussing Medical Misinformation

******

Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools.

🎓 If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

******

Rumor vs Truth is a production of TRC Healthcare.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

Send us Fan Mail

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:

• Why gabapentin is used in dogs and cats
• Where these toxicity concerns come from
• The role of xylitol in certain liquid formulations—and why this matters
• Why dogs, but not cats, are affected by xylitol
• What pharmacists and clinical teams should watch for when dispensing
• What pet owners should do if exposure is suspected

No CE credit is available for this bonus episode.
CE credit is available for our full gabapentin episode.

******

🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

• Rumor vs Truth: Gabapentin
(The nerve of gabapentin, is it really as safe as we assumed?)
🎧Listen: https://rumorvstruth.buzzsprout.com/episodes/19192704
▶️ Watch: https://youtu.be/0G9FU99me48

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

• Steve Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guest

• Tina Wismer, DVM, MS, DABVT, DABT

• Senior Director, ASPCA Poison Control

******

Clinical Resources:

• FAQ: Med Considerations for Cats and Dogs

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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.

• 🧠Does gabapentin meaningfully improve neuropathic pain outcomes—or are we overestimating its impact in everyday practice?
• ⚠️ How should clinicians interpret safety concerns like dependence, cognitive effects, and mood changes when counseling patients?
• 🔍 Are we using gabapentin for the right types of pain—or defaulting to it when evidence is limited?

We’ll break down the data, challenge common assumptions, and follow the evidence wherever it leads—so you can separate clinical signal from background noise when evaluating gabapentin.

Key claims explored in this episode include:

• Gabapentin is modestly effective for neuropathic pain
• Gabapentin is addictive
• Gabapentin causes dementia
• Gabapentin is associated with suicidal behavior

You’ll also get quick clinical insights on:

• Cardiovascular risk signals linked to gabapentin use
• Whether gabapentin plays a role in treating anxiety disorders

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Adam Kaye, PharmD, FASCP, FCPhA

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter,or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

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

• Chart: Pharmacotherapy of Neuropathic Pain
• FAQ: Treating Fibromyalgia
• CE: Controlled Substance Prescription Validation
• Chart: Potentially Harmful Drugs: Beers Criteria
• Algorithm: Treatment of Hypertension
• Chart: Pharmacotherapy of Anxiety Disorders

******

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or Text: 988

https://988lifeline.org/

******

Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools.

🎓 If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

******

Rumor vs Truth is a production of TRC Healthcare.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

Send us Fan Mail

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 break down what the evidence really tells us.

Together, they discuss:

• Why antibiotic durations have shortened over time
• Whether stopping early increases the risk of resistance
• Why “feeling better” doesn’t always mean the infection is resolved
• When stopping early might be reasonable—and why that decision should still come from the prescriber
• How pharmacists and clinicians can frame these conversations with patients

No CE credit is available for this bonus episode.
CE credit is available for our full episode on antimicrobial stewardship.

******

🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

• Rumor vs Truth: Antimicrobial Stewardship
(Are we overusing antibiotics?)
🎧Listen: https://rumorvstruth.buzzsprout.com/episodes/19034041
▶️ Watch: https://youtu.be/L8m1g9Tq6Sw

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

• Steve Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guest

• Madeline King, PharmD, BCIDP

******

Clinical Resources:

• Toolbox: Antimicrobial Stewardship
• FAQ: Antibiotic Therapy: When Are Shorter Courses Better?

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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.

• 🦠 Does antimicrobial stewardship actually reduce antibiotic resistance?
• ⏱️ Are shorter outpatient antibiotic courses—like 5 days—enough for most common infections?
• 💊 When does the choice of antibiotic, route, or mechanism really matter?

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

• Stewardship isn’t reducing overall antibiotic resistance
• Most outpatient infections only need 5 days of antibiotics
• IV antibiotics are better than oral options
• Bactericidal antibiotics are better than bacteriostatic ones

🏷️ 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guests:

• Madeline King, PharmD, BCIDP
• John Turtle, PharmD, MBA

******

CE Information:

For the purposes of disclosure, Dr. Madeline King reports a relevant financial relationship with Shionogi (speakers bureau for cefiderocol).

The other speakers have nothing to disclose. All relevant financial relationships have been mitigated.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter,or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

Resources:

• Toolbox: Antimicrobial Stewardship
• FAQ: Antibiotic Therapy: When Are Shorter Courses Better?
• Chart: Urinary Tract Infections
• Chart: Antibiotics in Pregnancy and Lactation
• FAQ: Managing Beta-Lactam Allergies
• Chart: Considerations for IV-to-PO Conversions

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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 tasks can AI reliably support—and which still require human judgment?
⚠️ Is it actually helping clinicians — or quietly creating new risks?
📋 When AI gives a medical answer, how often is it accurate… and how often is it confidently wrong?
🎓 How should AI be used (or limited) when training the next generation of clinicians?

Then they put the evidence behind these claims to the test:

• AI will fully replace healthcare professionals
• Using AI improves patient safety
• AI generated medical answers are more accurate than humans
• Healthcare students should use AI

🏷️ Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guests:

• Vickie Danaher, PharmD
• John Turtle, PharmD, MBA

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter,or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

Clinical resources:

• FAQ: Artificial Intelligence in Pharmacy Practice
• Checklist: Responding to Med Errors
• Toolbox: Resources for Discussing Medical Misinformation
• Article: Weave AI Into Your Plan for Precepting Learners
• Toolbox: Preceptor’s Guide

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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. Strands, studies, and “so‑called solutions”… they pull out the magnifying glass to uncover the clinical truth.

They’ll share research and insights into some eyebrow‑raising claims, including:

• Oral minoxidil is more effective than topical versions for hair loss.
• Topical finasteride doesn’t have systemic side effects seen with oral tablets.
• Combining topical minoxidil with oral finasteride may be more effective than using them alone.
• Saw palmetto and rosemary oil are effective for hair loss

Plus, they tackle a trio of quick-hit myths—from family “in-hair‑itance” to grooming habits...and even a surprising pet danger.

Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guest:

• Jeff Langford, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP (Managing Clinical Editor at TRC Healthcare for NatMed)

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter,or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

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

• Chart: Treatment and Prevention of Hair Loss
• Article: Get to the Root of Male Pattern Baldness Treatments

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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 more nuanced?

Bust the hype, and uncover the facts behind these hot-button hormone claims:

• All patients with low estrogen levels should use HRT
• Bioidentical estrogens are more effective than other estrogens
• Topical estrogen is safer than oral options
• Hormone replacement therapy causes breast cancer

10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1026 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

Guest:

• Sara Klockars, PharmD, BCPS (TRC Healthcare Editor)

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter,or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

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

• FAQ: Managing Vasomotor Menopause Symptoms
• Chart: Menopausal Hormone Therapies
• Article: Elinzanetant: Emerging Therapy for Menopausal Hot Flashes
• Chart: Managing Genitourinary Menopausal Symptoms
• Chart: Characteristics of Transdermal Patches (US)

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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:

• GLP-1 agonists can lead to hair loss
• Men can develop erectile dysfunction from GLP-1 agonists
• GLP-1 agonists increase risk of suicidal thoughts
• GLP-1 agonists are associated with blindness
• GLP-1's should be held before every surgery to prevent aspiration

Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1025 at checkout.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Sara Klockars, PharmD, BCPS (TRC Healthcare Editor, Dermatology Specialist)

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter,or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

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

• Chart: GLP-1 and GIP/GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Interactive Comparison Chart
• Chart: Treatment and Prevention of Hair Loss
• FAQ: Managing Erectile Dysfunction
• Chart: Perioperative Management of Diabetes

******

Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or Text: 988

https://988lifeline.org/

******

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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 these popular claims:

• Vitamin C and zinc can shorten cold symptoms.
• Honey is effective for cough.
• Elderberry can treat the flu.
• Homeopathic products, such as oscillococcinum, can prevent or treat the flu.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Jeff Langford, PharmD, BCPS, BCCP (Managing Clinical Editor at TRC Healthcare for NatMed)

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

Clinical Resources:

• Chart: Managing Cough and Cold Symptoms
• Chart: Managing Seasonal Allergies
• NatMed Pro

******

10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1025 at checkout.

******

🌿🎙New show from today's guest: Natural Medicines: Evidence in Practice🎙🌿

• 🎧 Trailer + Follow on Apple Podcasts
• 🎧 Trailer + Follow on Spotify

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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:

• How fluoride prevents cavities (the hydroxyapatite → fluorapatite story)
• Where the 2025 JAMA Pediatrics metaanalysis on fluoride exposure and children’s IQ fits (signal vs causality; exposure thresholds; study bias).
• Practical guidance on OTC (~900 ppm) vs prescription (5000 ppm) toothpaste and counseling tips for kids and high-risk adults.
• Community water fluoridation: historical context (Grand Rapids), outcomes, and how programs are tuned to ~0.7 mg/L today.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Jayson Chalmers, DDS

******

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

• Chart: Alcohol and Drug Interactions
• FAQ: Management of Opioid Use Disorder
• Chart: Analgesics for Acute Pain in Adults
• Toolbox: Antibiotic Stewardship

******

Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools.

Our listeners can get 10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1025 at checkout.

If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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:

• Fluoride toothpastes and mouthwashes are harmful.
• Alcohol-based mouthwashes should be avoided with metronidazole.
• Patients need prophylactic antibiotics before most dental visits.
• Putting aspirin directly on a tooth can help cure a toothache.
• Sublingual or buccal buprenorphine is linked to tooth decay and cavities.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

Guest:

• Jayson Chalmers, DDS

******

CE Information:

None of the speakers have anything to disclose.

TRC Healthcare offers CE credit for this podcast for subscribers at our platinum level or higher. Log in to your Pharmacist’s Letter, Pharmacy Technician’s Letter, or Prescriber Insights account and look for the title of this podcast in the list of available CE courses.

Claim Credit

******

Clinical Resources:

• Chart: Alcohol and Drug Interactions
• FAQ: Management of Opioid Use Disorder
• Chart: Analgesics for Acute Pain in Adults
• Toolbox: Antibiotic Stewardship

******

10% off a new or upgraded subscription with code rvt1025 at checkout.

🎓 Student free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.

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.

******

TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

• Stephen Small, PharmD, BCPS, BCPPS, BCCCP, CNSC
• Don Weinberger, PharmD, PMSP

******

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

• Chart: Glossary of Study Design and Statistical Terms
• Chart: Analgesics in Pregnancy and Lactation
• Chart: Topical Medications in Pregnancy and Lactation
• Toolbox: Resources for Discussing Medical Misinformation
• Article: Put New Acetaminophen Pregnancy Warnings in Perspective

******

Don’t miss out! Subscribe to Pharmacist’s Letter today to stay ahead with trusted insights and tools.

Our listeners can get 10% off a new subscription with code rvt1025 at checkout.

If you're a student, good news—students can access a free version of Pharmacist’s Letter.

******

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Rumor vs Truth is a production of TRC Healthcare.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: rumorvstruth@trchealthcare.com

The content of this podcast is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

Find the show on YouTube by searching for ‘TRC Healthcare’ or clicking here.

Learn more about our product offerings at http://www.trchealthcare.com/.