Many people are now turning to AI tools and social media not only to understand their symptoms but also to seek advice about medicines and treatment. Medical experts have expressed concern over the trend, warning that AI tools repeatedly state that they are not a substitute for doctors, yet some users still rely on them to select medicines or make decisions about drugs they are already taking.
Experts point out that similar symptoms can have very different underlying causes. Choosing medication solely on the basis of online information can therefore be harmful, particularly when a medicine requires careful consideration of dosage, side effects or interactions with other drugs.
Health-related content on social media can further complicate the situation because every individual has a different age, medical history, physical condition and diagnosis. A medicine or treatment that may be appropriate for one person may not necessarily be safe for another.
Medical professionals say AI can be useful for obtaining general health information and understanding medical topics. However, decisions regarding diagnosis, medication and treatment should be made in consultation with a qualified doctor.
Experts also warn that the combination of rapidly available AI responses and health misinformation is creating a new challenge, as some people may choose self-treatment instead of seeking advice from a medical professional.