Delhi Man Critical After AI-Advised HIV Preventive Drug Use

A 45-year-old man from Delhi is in critical condition after developing a rare and severe drug reaction following the unsupervised use of HIV preventive medicines. The case has raised serious concerns over self-medication, illegal over-the-counter drug sales, and growing dependence on artificial intelligence platforms for medical advice without professional consultation.

Incident and Medical Emergency

According to doctors at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, the patient consumed HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) drugs after a high-risk sexual encounter, based solely on advice generated by an AI chat platform. He reportedly purchased a full 28-day course of antiretroviral medicines directly from a local chemist without a prescription. After taking the drugs for seven days, he developed extensive skin rashes and eye complications. His condition deteriorated as he visited multiple healthcare facilities before being admitted to RML Hospital in a critical state.

Diagnosis of Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

The patient was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome, a rare but potentially life-threatening reaction commonly triggered by certain medications. The condition causes severe damage to the skin and mucous membranes and often requires intensive care support. Treating doctors stated that their immediate priority is stabilising the patient and managing complications arising from the drug reaction. The case highlights the risks of taking powerful antiretroviral drugs without medical supervision or monitoring.

Concerns Over Drug Access and AI Medical Advice

Doctors expressed shock that such medicines were sold over the counter despite revised treatment protocols. Current national guidelines mandate that HIV PEP should be initiated only after clinical evaluation, risk assessment, baseline testing, and counselling, with close follow-up for adverse effects. Experts warned that unsupervised use of antiretroviral drugs can result in severe reactions, organ damage, and long-term health consequences. The incident also underlined the dangers of relying on AI platforms for direct medical decisions, particularly in high-risk scenarios where clinical judgement is essential.

Important Facts for Exams

• HIV post-exposure prophylaxis must be started within 72 hours of potential exposure.
• Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a severe adverse drug reaction involving skin and mucosa.
• Antiretroviral drugs are prescription-only medicines under national health guidelines.
• AI tools provide information but are not substitutes for licensed medical advice.

Regulatory and Public Health Implications

Health experts said the case exposes regulatory gaps in enforcing prescription-only drug sales and the need for stronger oversight of pharmacies. It also reflects a broader public health challenge, as individuals increasingly bypass clinicians in favour of digital platforms. Doctors stressed the urgency of establishing standards to prevent AI tools from being misused for direct health interventions without professional involvement.