Delhi man hospitalized with severe drug reaction after taking HIV prevention medication prescribed by AI
A Delhi man sought HIV prevention advice from an AI chatbot and followed its recommendation to take a 28-day medication course without medical supervision. He developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a severe and potentially fatal drug reaction, and required hospitalization in intensive care.
What happened
A 45-year-old man in Delhi consulted an AI chatbot after unprotected sexual contact to obtain HIV prevention medication. Rather than consulting a doctor, he followed the AI's advice and took a full 28-day course of the medication without medical supervision.
Seven days after starting the medication, he developed rashes but continued taking the drugs. Symptoms worsened, affecting his eyes and other body parts, leading him to visit multiple hospitals before admission to Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital.
Reported impact
The man was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal drug-related reaction involving severe damage to skin and mucous membranes. Doctors noted the condition often requires intensive care unit treatment.
Index analysis
Doctors expressed concern that the patient was able to purchase medications online without a valid prescription that doctors would typically not prescribe without thorough examination. The incident highlights risks of obtaining medical advice from AI systems without professional medical consultation.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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