Rare drug reaction reported
New Delhi: A 45-year-old man is in critical condition at Dr Ram Manohar Lohia (RML) Hospital after developing a rare and severe drug reaction from HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) medicines he bought without a prescription, reportedly after following advice from an AI chat platform.
Developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Doctors said the patient developed Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS), a serious condition that causes extensive skin and mucosal damage, after taking antiretroviral drugs for seven days without medical supervision.
Medicines bought without prescription
Hospital sources said the man purchased a full 28-day course of HIV PEP drugs from a local chemist without a prescription, bypassing mandatory medical evaluation and laboratory testing required under treatment guidelines.
Symptoms appeared after a week
According to doctors, the patient began developing rashes after seven days of medication. He reportedly visited multiple hospitals for eye and skin-related complications before being admitted to RML Hospital in a critical state.
Doctors confirm critical condition
Speaking to the Economic Times, a senior doctor involved in the treatment said the patient was diagnosed with Stevens-Johnson syndrome and required intensive care. “The patient is critical. Our immediate priority is to manage the drug reaction,” the doctor said.
Guidelines on post-exposure prophylaxis
Medical experts explained that HIV PEP must be started within 72 hours of possible exposure and should only be taken under strict medical supervision. If a person tests HIV negative, the drugs must be discontinued to avoid unnecessary risks.
Concerns over easy drug access
Doctors expressed concern over how prescription-only antiretroviral drugs were easily available without medical authorisation. They warned that unsupervised use can cause life-threatening reactions, organ damage and long-term complications.
Warning against AI-based self-treatment
The incident has also raised concerns over people relying on AI platforms for medical advice. Doctors stressed that while AI tools can offer general information, they cannot replace professional medical judgment, especially in high-risk situations, and called for stricter regulation of both drug sales and digital health guidance.
