Amy Gragnolati

Science communicator and clinical pharmacist with a passion for translating complex medical information into actionable, relatable content.

MedShadow Foundation •

Does Elderberry Work? What Experts Say About Cold and Flu Claims

Walk down any drugstore aisle during the winter months, and you’ll find elderberry products everywhere, with labels promising “daily immune support.” As a mom with young kids in preschool, I get the appeal. Illness is basically a constant for me. But as a pharmacist, I’ll tell you that the research behind elderberry is more complicated, and less compelling, than most labels let on.


This doesn’t mean that elderberry is a complete scam. But the truth is nuanced. So I asked a physician and a nut...
MedShadow Foundation •

Can I Take Sudafed and DayQuil Together? - MedShadow Foundation

Doubling up on cold medications like Sudafed and DayQuil isn’t usually recommended. 


While these and other over-the-counter (OTC) products may look different, they often contain the same or similar active ingredients. Taking too much of any ingredient, or taking ingredients you don’t need, won’t help you feel better faster. But it does increase your risk of side effects.


It can be. “The biggest risk of mixing OTC cold medications is unintentionally doubling up on the same, or similar, acti...
MedShadow Foundation •

Can I Take Antibiotics and Birth Control?

“Use a backup method, just in case.”


If you’ve ever been prescribed an antibiotic while taking birth control, you may have heard this advice. It’s been repeated for decades. But does it still hold true? 


The short answer: Current evidence suggests that most antibiotics, including commonly prescribed drugs like amoxicillin, amoxicillin–clavulanate (Augmentin), and azithromycin (Zithromax), do not interfere with birth control.


The concern started more than 40 years ago, when early researc...
Unbiased Science •

Evidence, Not Guesswork: The Childhood Vaccine Schedule is Very Intentional

Over the weekend, I (Jess) watched Free Guy with my husband and kids. (My vote was for Miss Congeniality, but I was outnumbered in our household’s democratic process.)If you haven’t seen it, the premise is that Ryan Reynolds plays Guy, a cheerful bank teller who doesn’t realize he’s a background character in a video game. When he figures it out, he has to “level up” fast—collecting weapons, skills, and power-ups—to take on the greedy game developer trying to destroy his world.With ACIP meeting t...
Unbiased Science •

9 Vaccine Myths That Won’t Go Away

Confusion around vaccines rarely comes from a lack of caring. It comes from the sheer volume of conflicting claims people encounter every day. And when misinformation spreads faster than evidence, straightforward explanations become essential. Here, we address common vaccine myths.​​It’s understandable for parents to wonder whether the recommended schedule exposes infants to “too many” vaccines early in life. But the immune system is built to handle an enormous number of antigens — viruses, bact...
MedShadow Foundation •

Can I Take Tylenol (Acetaminophen) and Advil (Ibuprofen) Together?

Chances are you’ve reached for acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), two of the most common over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers, at some point in your life. These medications can alleviate pain and fever, and ibuprofen is also helpful for lowering inflammation.


But is taking acetaminophen and ibuprofen together more effective than taking one alone? And is it safe? Sometimes, yes. Combining or alternating these two OTC medications may provide stronger pain and fever relief th...
MedShadow Foundation •

When the Neighborhood Pharmacy Closes, ‘Everything Changes’

Community pharmacists (those who work in retail pharmacies) are uniquely qualified to provide fast, accurate, and reliable medication advice. And pharmacists have long been regarded as one of the most trusted professions in America, serving as a steady anchor in communities nationwide.
In fact, Americans go to the pharmacy twice as often as they visit other healthcare providers.
But that kind of access is getting harder to find, especially in lower-income neighborhoods. This year, Rite Aid shut...
Unbiased Science •

“I Got Pregnant on Ozempic”: The Science Behind #OzempicBabies

When I first started seeing #OzempicBabies trending on social media, I’ll admit I was confused. Were these people proudly proclaiming they were on these medications? Like a celebratory “Yeah, baby, I’m on Ozempic!”?No. It turns out it referred to something entirely different… and far more complex.The hashtag represents a growing phenomenon of unexpected pregnancies among people taking GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic. Facebook groups such as “I Got Pregnant on Ozempic” and countless Reddit threads ar...
Unbiased Science •

Leucovorin, Autism, and the FDA: Separating Political Promises from Scientific Proof

Every time we open Facebook, the algorithm serves up another round of parent-targeted groups with names like “Autism Recovery Network” or “Biomedical Healing for ASD.” Posts are asking “Has anyone tried leucovorin?” and “How do I get my doctor to prescribe folinic acid?” The same promises, the same desperate hope, the same unverified claims spreading from group to group.If you’re a parent of an autistic child, you’ve probably seen them too. Maybe you’ve even clicked through, looking for ways to...
MedShadow Foundation •

Can I Take Amiodarone (Pacerone) and Atorvastatin (Lipitor) Together?

Atorvastatin (Lipitor, Atorvaliq) was the most commonly prescribed medication in the U.S. in 2023. It belongs to a group of drugs called statins, which can help lower “bad” cholesterol levels (called LDL) in the body and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, and even death in many individuals. Examples of other statins include rosuvastatin (Crestor), simvastatin (Zocor, FloLipid), and pravastatin.


With nearly half of U.S. adults aged 56 to 75 years old qualifying for statin treatment under...
GoodRx •

How to Know If You’re Addicted to Weed - GoodRx

Even though it’s still technically illegal nationwide, cannabis is one of the most commonly used drugs in the U.S. Though some types of cannabis may have benefits, it can also be misused and even lead to addiction — known as cannabis use disorder. In fact, about 3 out of every 10 people who use cannabis have a cannabis use disorder. So, how do you know if your personal or medicinal cannabis use has gotten out of hand? Let’s take a closer look at what you might notice if you (or a friend or famil...
GoodRx •

Medications for Alcohol Use Disorder: What Works Best to Stop Drinking? - GoodRx

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a condition where a person has difficulty managing their alcohol use. There are several ways to treat AUD, including therapy, support groups, and medications. But what are the specific medications used to treat AUD, and what’s the difference between them?Here, we’ll cover five of the most effective types of medication for AUD to help you stop drinking.Naltrexone is a first-choice option for moderate-to-severe AUD, according to the American Psychiatric Association (A...
MedShadow Foundation •

The Truth About Supplements: Safety, Oversight, and the FDA’s Role

2020 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows supplements are part of daily life for more than half of U.S. adults. But despite widespread use, these products are not reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), even though many people believe they are.


While prescription drugs are rigorously tested, supplements are sold without FDA input. This leaves consumers to sort through the 100,000+ supplements on the market today, many of which are promoted with misl...
MedShadow Foundation •

Ozempic and Alcohol: Can I Drink While Taking GLP-1 Drugs?

Ozempic, Wegovy, Rybelsus. These brand-name medications all contain semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist. Collectively, GLP-1 drugs can help treat a wide range of medical conditions, from diabetes to obesity.
According to a 2025 poll from the health policy information organization KFF, about 1 in 8 U.S. adults have taken GLP-1s at some point in their lives. If that includes you, and you find yourself having a drink every now and then, it’s helpful to know that moderate alcohol...
Ro •

Does ExtenZe Work for Erectile Dysfunction?

Safer, far more evidence-backed options for treating erectile dysfunction (ED) include prescription medications, such as Viagra, Cialis, Ro Sparks, and Daily Rise Gummies, and lifestyle changes.There isn’t research to show ExtenZe pills are safe or effective. While some of the ingredients in the product have been studied for ED, there’s no evidence that it’s a good treatment option.ExtenZe is an over-the-counter male enhancement supplement that purportedly treats erectile dysfunction (ED), but e...
GoodRx •

What Medications Cause False-Positive Drug Tests? - GoodRx

If you or your healthcare team are concerned that a substance in your body might be affecting your health, a drug test can provide helpful information. It can detect the presence of certain medications and substances in your system.The most common type of drug test is a urine test. However, there are times when the test results may be inaccurate. For instance, a false positive is when a drug test shows the presence of a medication or substance that you didn’t actually take. But how does this hap...
EverydayHealth.com •

How to Monitor the Progression of Metastatic Breast Cancer

When you have HR+/HER2– metastatic breast cancer, a big part of treatment includes monitoring the condition with routine scans, physical exams, and blood tests. But the type of testing you’ll need — and how often you’ll need it — will partly depend on your treatment goals.Ideally, treatment will “limit the progression of the cancer and maintain quality and longevity of life,” says Hanna Y. Irie, MD, PhD, an oncologist at Mount Sinai Hospital and associate professor of medicine and oncological sc...
EverydayHealth.com •

Understanding Your HR+/HER- Metastatic Breast Cancer Treatment

The cells in HR-positive/HER2-negative breast cancer have receptors for the hormones estrogen and progesterone. Because these hormones help fuel the growth of the tumor, your treatment plan will likely include endocrine therapy, which can suppress estrogen and progesterone levels in the body.Germline testing isn’t always widely available, so if it isn’t offered to you, Dr. Irie recommends talking to your oncologist and asking if the test is right for you.The genetic makeup of the cancer is just...
EverydayHealth.com •

Switching Medications: What to Do if Urticaria (Chronic Spontaneous Hives) Treatment Isn’t Working

It’s possible the medication is working, but symptoms are being retriggered by lifestyle habits, which include drinking alcohol, being exposed to heat, or taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ibuprofen, for example).On the other hand, if symptoms such as intense itching and swelling keep returning, it may mean the medication isn’t working as well as it used to for you. Either way, it’s a good idea to let your doctor know.

It’s possible the medication is working, but symptoms are being r...
GoodRx •

Acid Reflux Medicine: Antacids, H2 Blockers, Proton Pump Inhibitors - GoodRx

If you've ever felt a burning sensation in your chest after a big meal, you're not alone. More than 60 million Americans deal with heartburn at least once a month. That burning feeling is often a sign of acid reflux — when stomach acid sneaks back up into your esophagus, the tube that connects your mouth and stomach. When acid reflux becomes a regular problem, it may be a sign of something more serious, called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).The good news? There are several types of acid...
GoodRx •

What Are Sedatives? Examples, Uses, Types, and Side Effects - GoodRx

Sedatives are medications or substances that calm or slow down nerve and brain activity. You may have heard them referred to as central nervous system (CNS) depressants, tranquilizers, or downers. Hypnotics, antianxiety medications, and anxiolytics are also considered sedatives.Prescription sedatives are used to help people sleep, feel less anxious, or relax during a medical procedure — among other uses. Other medications, such as opioids, also have some sedating effects, but they aren’t used pr...
GoodRx •

Can You Take Viagra and Drink Alcohol? - GoodRx

If you have erectile dysfunction (ED), prescription medications such as Viagra (sildenafil) can help bring confidence back to your sex life. Viagra belongs to a group of medications called phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. Other PDE5 inhibitors that treat ED include Cialis (tadalafil), Stendra (avanafil), and vardenafil (formerly known by the brand name Levitra).Before starting a PDE5 inhibitor, your prescriber may want to discuss whether you drink alcohol. That’s because combining Via...
GoodRx •

Blood Thinners for Atrial Fibrillation (AFib) - GoodRx

Our answer is in line with current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.Blood thinners for AFib treatment have been extensively studied. The available research supports this answer.Our answer is in line with current guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association.Still, there are some situations where warfarin is preferred. This includes people with mechanical valves or moderate to severe mitral valve stenosis.Common...
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