Every day, millions of people scroll through TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook looking for health tips. One post says drinking apple cider vinegar cures migraines. Another claims a supplement can replace your blood pressure medication. A third shows someone injecting vitamins they bought online. It all looks convincing-until you realize none of it is true. And that’s the danger.
Medication advice on social media isn’t just wrong-it can be deadly. A 2023 study in JAMA Pediatrics found that adolescents exposed to unverified health claims on social platforms were more likely to make dangerous decisions about their meds, supplements, or treatments. The World Health Organization called this an "infodemic"-a flood of false health information that spreads faster than facts. In New Zealand, the Ministry of Health has warned that people are skipping prescribed drugs because of viral trends. Others are mixing pills they found online with their regular meds, leading to hospitalizations.
Who’s Really Giving This Advice?
Most of the time, the person sharing "life-changing" medication tips isn’t a doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. They’re a fitness influencer, a mom with a big following, or someone selling a supplement. And they’re not being paid to help you-they’re being paid to sell you something.
Healthline’s 2023 report confirmed that over 70% of "health advice" on TikTok and Instagram comes from people with no medical training. Many of them have partnerships with supplement brands. That means if they say a product works, they get a cut of the sales. It’s marketing dressed up as medicine.
Look at the profile. Does it say "RN," "PharmD," or "MD"? If not, treat every health claim like a red flag. Even if someone says "I’m not a doctor, but..."-that’s not a shield. It’s a warning. Unsafe medication advice is never okay, no matter who says it.
Red Flags You Can’t Ignore
Here are five clear signs the advice you’re seeing is dangerous:
- "Miracle cure" claims-"This one pill fixes diabetes," "This tea cures cancer," "No more prescriptions needed." If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Real medicine doesn’t work that way.
- Secret formulas or hidden knowledge-"The doctors don’t want you to know this," "Big Pharma is hiding the truth." These are classic conspiracy tactics. Reputable science doesn’t hide findings-it publishes them in peer-reviewed journals.
- One-size-fits-all advice-"Everyone should take this." That’s false. Your medications depend on your age, weight, allergies, other drugs, and medical history. What works for your cousin might kill you.
- Product promotion-If the post links to a website, Amazon page, or Shopify store selling the product, it’s not advice. It’s an ad. Even if it says "I love this," it’s still marketing.
- No sources cited-Real health advice cites studies, guidelines, or official organizations. If the post says "I read it online" or "My friend tried it," that’s not evidence. That’s gossip.
The UNMC Health Security Transmission article (2025) makes this clear: "If you can’t find the same claim in a trusted medical source, it’s likely misinformation." And they’re right. You won’t find a CDC or FDA page saying "drink lemon water to replace your insulin." But you will find a dozen TikTok videos saying exactly that.
How Algorithms Trick You
Why do you keep seeing this stuff? Because the algorithm wants you to. Social media platforms don’t care if your advice is safe. They care if you watch, like, and share.
If you’ve ever searched for "how to lower blood pressure naturally," the algorithm will show you more posts like that-even if they’re wrong. It doesn’t show you the CDC’s guidelines. It shows you the person who says, "I dropped my BP in 3 days with turmeric." That’s because it’s more engaging. And the more you engage, the more you get trapped in a loop of false information.
Research from the University of Denmark found that people who believe in alternative medicine end up seeing only content that supports their beliefs. That’s called an "echo chamber." And it’s dangerous when it’s about your meds. You stop hearing the truth because the platform won’t let you.
Facebook and Instagram tried to fix this in 2020 by adding "flag-and-fact-check" labels. If a post gets flagged as misinformation, it gets a warning and a link to a credible source. But these labels are easy to ignore. And they don’t stop the post from going viral.
How to Verify Anything You See
Here’s a simple three-step method to check any health claim before you try it:
- Who said it? Google their name. Are they a licensed healthcare provider? Do they have a medical degree or pharmacy license? If you can’t find proof, walk away.
- What’s the source? Does the post link to a study? A government website? A medical journal? If it links to a blog, a YouTube video, or a supplement store, that’s not a source. It’s a sales pitch.
- Check three trusted places-The CDC, the FDA, and your country’s health ministry (like Health New Zealand) are your best friends. If none of them mention the advice, it’s not safe.
For example, if someone says, "I stopped my antidepressant and took St. John’s Wort instead," check the FDA website. You’ll find a warning: "St. John’s Wort can reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants and cause serious side effects." That’s not a trend. That’s a risk.
Another example: "Take zinc every day to prevent COVID." The CDC says zinc has no proven effect on preventing or treating COVID-19. But you’ll still see hundreds of videos saying otherwise.
What to Do Instead
You don’t have to quit social media. You just need to change how you use it.
- Follow only verified health accounts: CDC, WHO, Health New Zealand, Pharmacy Guild of New Zealand.
- Ask your pharmacist before trying anything new. They’re trained to spot dangerous interactions.
- Teach teens and older relatives how to spot false advice. They’re the most targeted.
- Don’t share unverified posts. Even if you think "it might help someone," you’re spreading risk.
There’s a powerful concept called "pre-bunking"-showing people the truth before they see the lie. Studies show it works better than correcting misinformation after the fact. So if you see a viral post about a "new miracle drug," don’t just ignore it. Share the real info from the FDA or CDC alongside it.
Real Consequences
This isn’t theoretical. In 2023, a 28-year-old woman in Christchurch stopped her thyroid medication after watching a YouTube video that called it "toxic." She ended up in the hospital with heart failure. A 16-year-old in Wellington took high-dose vitamin D supplements because of a TikTok trend. He developed kidney damage.
According to a PubMed study (ID 31378978), social media monitoring has helped track unsafe medication use during pregnancy. That means real people are getting hurt because of what they saw online.
The Pharmacy Times article from October 2023 warned that health misinformation on social media can outweigh the benefits of online health education-especially for young people. And that’s the tragedy. Social media could be a tool for good. But right now, it’s a minefield.
Medication safety isn’t about being paranoid. It’s about being smart. Your health isn’t a trend. It’s not a viral challenge. It’s not something you should gamble with based on a 15-second video.
Can I trust a doctor who posts on Instagram?
Only if you can verify their credentials independently. Many people fake medical titles. Always check the official medical board registry in your country-like the Medical Council of New Zealand-to confirm they’re licensed. Even if they’re a real doctor, their social media posts aren’t a substitute for a personal consultation. What works for one patient might be dangerous for another.
What should I do if I’ve already followed unsafe advice?
Stop immediately. Don’t wait for symptoms. Call your pharmacist or GP and tell them what you took, how much, and when. They can check for interactions or side effects. Many adverse reactions can be reversed if caught early. Don’t feel embarrassed-this happens to more people than you think.
Are herbal supplements safer than prescription drugs?
No. Just because something is "natural" doesn’t mean it’s safe. Many herbal supplements interact with prescription drugs. St. John’s Wort can make birth control fail. Garlic supplements can thin your blood dangerously before surgery. The FDA doesn’t test supplements for safety before they’re sold. That’s why you need to talk to a pharmacist before taking anything.
Why do so many people believe this misinformation?
Because it feels personal. A real doctor might say, "Take this pill for 6 weeks." A TikTok creator says, "I was sick for years-then I tried this and felt better in 3 days." That story is more emotional. It’s easier to believe than a dry study. But emotions don’t replace science. The more you learn about how algorithms work, the less you’ll be fooled.
Can social media platforms fix this?
They’ve tried-by adding fact-check labels and limiting viral spread. But they’re not designed to protect your health. They’re designed to keep you scrolling. Real change needs laws, not algorithms. Until then, you’re your own best defense. Learn to spot the red flags. Talk to a professional. And don’t share anything you haven’t verified.
Final Thought
You wouldn’t let a stranger change your car’s oil without checking their credentials. Why would you let them change your meds? Social media is full of people who want your attention, not your health. The truth doesn’t go viral. But the truth can save your life. Always check. Always ask. And never trust a post that promises a miracle.
Darren Ramowski
My name is Calem Goodridge, and I am a pharmaceutical expert with a passion for educating others about medication and diseases. I have dedicated my career to researching and developing life-changing medical treatments. In my spare time, I enjoy writing articles and sharing my knowledge with the general public to help them make informed healthcare decisions. I am also an advocate for safe medication practices and believe that patient education is key to preventing adverse drug events. With my extensive experience in the pharmaceutical industry, I strive to make a positive impact on the lives of others through my writing.