Samantha Ruth Prabhu faces heavy backlash after recommending hydrogen peroxide inhalation to cure viral fever

Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the renowned actress known for her roles in 'Ye Maaya Chesave' and 'Eega,' has found herself at the centre of a heated debate. Prabhu, who also hosts a health podcast on her YouTube channel, recently recommended the hydrogen peroxide inhalation protocol as a remedy for viral fevers. This advice quickly drew sharp criticism from the medical community, particularly from hepatologist Dr Cyriac Abby Philips, also known as 'The Liver Doctor' on X (formerly Twitter).
The incident has sparked a wider discussion about the dangers of nebulised hydrogen peroxide. According to the Asthma & Allergy Foundation Of America, inhaling this substance can cause severe and potentially fatal health issues, such as pulmonary edema and gas embolism. The controversy quickly gained traction on the microblogging site, with Philips’ post garnering over 8,000 likes and numerous comments condemning Prabhu’s advice.

Philips deems Samantha a “science illiterate”

Dr Philips did not hold back in his condemnation, calling Prabhu a “health and science illiterate” for suggesting such a potentially harmful treatment to her millions of followers. He highlighted the severe risks associated with inhaling hydrogen peroxide, such as irreversible tissue damage, pulmonary edema, and gas embolism, all of which can be life-threatening.

“In a rational and scientifically progressive society, this woman would be charged with endangering public health and fined or put behind bars. She needs help or a better advisor in her team,” Dr Philips tweeted, further urging the Indian Health Ministry to regulate online health content to prevent misinformation.

Samantha issues clarification

In response to the backlash, Samantha Ruth Prabhu took to Instagram to clarify her stance. She explained that after being diagnosed with myositis, an autoimmune condition, she struggled with conventional treatments that were both costly and ineffective. Seeking alternatives, she found success in less conventional therapies under the guidance of her doctor, a qualified MD.
“Many of these treatments were very, very expensive. I would always keep thinking about how fortunate I am that I could afford it and about all those who cannot. And for the longest time, conventional treatments weren't making me better. And after trial and error, I found treatments that worked wonderfully for me and cost a fraction of what I was spending on conventional healthcare,” she wrote.

Prabhu emphasised that her intention was to share alternative treatments that had helped her, hoping they could offer affordable options to others. She also called out Dr Philips, suggesting he should have addressed his concerns with her doctor, whom she tagged in her post.

Samantha accused of “playing the victim card”

Despite her explanation, Dr Philips continued to criticise Prabhu, accusing her of “playing the victim card” and being a “serial offender in the context of healthcare misinformation.” Notably, Prabhu has continued to like only supportive comments under the “clarification” post.
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's advocacy for alternative medicine has a history of stirring controversy. Earlier, she faced criticism from Dr Philips for discussing liver detoxification using dandelion roots on her health podcast.

While Prabhu stands by her intentions, this episode underscores the importance of verifying health information from credible sources, especially when shared by public figures with large followings. As the debate continues, it serves as a reminder of the critical role that responsible communication plays in public health.