The Hidden Danger on Social Media: A Case Series of Methanol Intoxication

This case series highlights the public health risks posed by the unregulated sale of methanol via social media platforms, where it is often misrepresented as ethanol. We present four patients admitted to our tertiary emergency department in Türkiye following methanol intoxication from alcohol purchased online. The patients, ranging in age from 17 to 43, experienced symptoms such as vision loss, metabolic acidosis, and altered consciousness. In three cases, timely diagnosis and treatment—including intravenous ethanol administration and hemodialysis—resulted in full recovery without long-term complications. However, one patient succumbed to fatal outcomes due to delayed admission to the emergency department. This series underscores the growing threat of methanol poisoning, exacerbated by the widespread availability of illicit alcohol products through social media. The findings emphasize the need for stringent regulatory controls, public awareness campaigns, and more effective preventive measures to reduce the incidence of such preventable intoxications. Methanol intoxication is a critical yet preventable condition requiring a coordinated response from healthcare professionals, toxicologists, legal authorities, and social media regulators. Further research into the regulation of online alcohol sales and early intervention protocols for methanol intoxication is urgently needed to safeguard public health.