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.

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts: 

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

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Guest: 

• William Schaffner, MD, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine

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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

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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).

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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.

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🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: [email protected]

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 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.

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts: 

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

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Guest: 

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

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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

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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

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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.  

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Rumor vs Truth is a production of TRC Healthcare.

🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: [email protected]

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 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.

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🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

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

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

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

Guest

• Dr. Nicole Gastala, MD

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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. 

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🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: [email protected]

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 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.  

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:  

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

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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 

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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:  

• 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 

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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: [email protected]

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 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.

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🎧 Related Episode (CE Available)

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

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

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

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Clinical Resources:  

• FAQ: Management of Constipation

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

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🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: [email protected]

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 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. 

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts: 

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

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Guest: 

• Nina Pascua, MD, PharmD, MSCE, MBA

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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

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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: 

• 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

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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: [email protected]

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 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.

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🎧 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 

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts

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

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Clinical Resource: 

• Chart: Potentially Harmful Drugs in Children

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

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🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: [email protected]

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 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. 

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts: 

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

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Guest: 

• Leslie Gingo, PharmD, BCPS

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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

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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: [email protected]

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 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.

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🎧 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 

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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

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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. 

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🗪 Send us Fan Mail

Email us: [email protected]

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 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. 

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TRC Healthcare Editor Hosts:

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

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Guest: 

• Adam Kaye, PharmD, FASCP, FCPhA

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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

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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: 

• 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

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Suicide & Crisis Lifeline - Call or Text: 988

https://988lifeline.org/

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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: [email protected]

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 trchealthcare.com.