Concerned about their health, two women turned to artificial intelligence (AI) for “medical advice.” However, what seemed like harmless guidance nearly cost them their lives when they stopped taking doctor-prescribed medication.

Trusting ChatGPT led to worsening conditions

Over six months ago, Mrs. N.T.D (42 years old, living in Thu Duc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City) was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and began taking prescribed medication. In the early stages, she followed her doctor’s instructions and adopted a recommended diet, resulting in stable blood sugar levels.

However, after reading social media posts and asking ChatGPT for advice, she believed that simply eating healthy and cutting out sugar and carbs would eliminate the need for medication. She then stopped taking her medication.

As a result, she experienced fatigue, excessive thirst, frequent urination, and dangerously high blood sugar levels.

When she visited the hospital, doctors warned she was at risk of severe complications, including diabetic ketoacidosis and potentially falling into a coma if she hadn’t been hospitalized in time.

Another case involved Ms. D.T.M.H (38, living in Khanh Hoi Ward, Ho Chi Minh City), who had been diagnosed with dyslipidemia and prescribed statin drugs to control her cholesterol.

After a period of taking her medication, she encountered online suggestions promoting “natural” herbal remedies for managing cholesterol.

To confirm, she asked ChatGPT and received advice on “naturally lowering cholesterol” without medication. After a few months of stopping her treatment, her cholesterol levels soared, accompanied by chest tightness and shortness of breath.

During a follow-up examination, her doctor discovered signs of myocardial ischemia and coronary artery narrowing - consequences of prolonged uncontrolled cholesterol levels.

AI is a support tool, not a replacement for doctors

Dr. Truong Thien Niem, Level II specialist and Head of the Outpatient Department at Gia An 115 Hospital, who treated both patients, noted that despite their relatively young age, they placed absolute trust in AI-generated health information.

According to Dr. Niem, AI tools and online medical platforms offer many benefits. They help the public access general knowledge, understand common symptoms, prepare for medical visits, and take initial self-care steps. This fosters greater proactivity in managing personal health.

However, AI cannot replace doctors.

Information from AI may be inaccurate or inappropriate for individual cases. Accurate diagnosis and treatment require in-person evaluations combined with laboratory tests such as blood work, urinalysis, ultrasounds, endoscopy, CT scans, MRIs, or electrocardiograms.

Prescriptions depend on factors like patient physiology, medical history, and potential drug interactions—variables that AI cannot assess.

Dr. Niem stressed that patients with chronic illnesses must strictly follow treatment protocols. Discontinuing or altering medication based on internet or AI advice can have serious consequences.

For example, in diabetes, stopping medication can lead to a sharp rise in blood sugar, diabetic ketoacidosis, or long-term complications like kidney, eye, or nerve damage. Incorrect dosages make the disease harder to control and increase risks of cardiovascular disease and kidney failure.

For cardiac patients, discontinuing anticoagulants, cholesterol-lowering drugs, or heart failure medications may cause heart attacks, strokes, arrhythmias, or acute heart failure.

In hypertension cases, stopping medications like beta-blockers, diuretics, or antihypertensives may trigger sudden spikes in blood pressure, leading to strokes or kidney damage.

Additionally, changing medications based on generalized AI advice without medical supervision can lead to dangerous drug interactions that endanger patients' lives.

According to Dr. Niem, people should only use AI or medical search engines to reference general health information, better understand diagnosed conditions, or explore healthy lifestyle practices.

They should never self-medicate or change prescribed treatments without consulting a doctor. Direct medical evaluation remains the cornerstone of safe and effective care.

Phuong Thuy