Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is among the most urgent global health challenges of the 21st century, causing approximately 1.14 million deaths each year¹ due to drug-resistant bacterial infections. Alongside this issue, the spread of health misinformation through digital and traditional media has exacerbated the misuse of medications worldwide.

Objective: To compile existing research on how misinformation related to medications affects drug use behaviours, thereby hastening the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.

Methods: A narrative review was performed in accordance with SANRA guidelines. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2015–2025) using terms such as “misinformation,” “antibiotics,” “antimicrobial resistance,” “self-medication,” and “social media.” The review included peer-reviewed articles, systematic reviews, and grey literature from WHO/CDC.

Key findings: Four main mechanisms were identified: (1) the persistent misconception that antibiotics can treat viral infections, with only 42.1% of the global population understanding that antibiotics do not work against viruses; ² (2) early discontinuation and dose reduction of antibiotics due to misinformation about the microbiome; (3) mistrust in vaccines leading to lower coverage and increased demand for antibiotics; and (4) distrust in diagnostics resulting in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics empirically. Social media, especially TikTok, has amplified these false beliefs, with misinformation videos receiving 2.5 times more engagement³ than content based on evidence.

Conclusion: Health misinformation is a significant and modifiable factor driving inappropriate medication use and antimicrobial resistance. Immediate, multidisciplinary strategies—including digital pre-bunking, training for clinicians in communication, and regulation of platforms—are necessary to address this escalating threat.