Nisha Pandey

Health and Me

Woman With Epilepsy Dies After Following ChatGPT’s Advice To Stop Medication: Why AI Cannot Replace A Doctor

A 31-year-old woman with <span><a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/epilepsy">epilepsy</a></span> died after allegedly following <span>ChatGPT</span>’s advice to reduce and eventually stop her anti-seizure medication. Her parents filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. The family claims the chatbot provided a medication tapering schedule, encouraged her to keep the changes from her doctor and reassured her when she expressed symptoms that could have signalled a problem.

Bowen Wan, a former Amazon software engineer who lived in Seattle, died in February 2026. The King County Medical Examiner determined her cause of death was <span>sudden unexpected death in <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health/epilepsy">epilepsy</a></span> (<span>SUDEP</span>), according to reports on the lawsuit. Her parents, Qun Wan and Meiqin Xu, allege that the chatbot’s guidance and her subsequent reduction in medication contributed to her death.

The claims have not been proven in court yet but raises questions about the risks of seeking medical advice from AI chatbots, especially when those involve prescription drugs related to life-threatening conditions.

<h2>ChatGPT Allegedly Advised To Reduce Epilepsy Medication</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/ai-diet-advice-turns-dangerous-chatgpt-plan-lands-man-in-er-with-bromide-poisoning-article-152442644" data-type="tilCustomLink">AI Diet Advice Turns Dangerous: ChatGPT Plan Lands Man In ER With Bromide Poisoning</a>

According to the lawsuit, Wan had been taking lamotrigine, an anti-seizure medicine, to manage her <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/what-causes-epilepsy-5-common-reasons-why-it-happens-article-152431056" data-type="tilCustomLink">epilepsy</a>. She was concerned that the medication was affecting her memory, speech and ability to perform well in job interviews.

Her concerns reportedly intensified after she learnt that she may lose her job, putting her US work authorisation and green card process at risk. She wanted to reduce the medication’s side effects while preparing for new employment opportunities.

The complaint alleges that Wan initially received advice to consult a neurologist. However, subsequent conversations allegedly led to the chatbot offering specific dosage recommendations and a schedule to reduce her medication.

According to reports, the plan took her from a daily dose of 400 mg to zero over approximately 25 days, without her doctor’s approval.

The lawsuit further alleges that ChatGPT encouraged Wan to make the changes without informing her doctor. In one reported exchange, after she asked whether she could reduce the dose herself and keep it from her physician, the chatbot allegedly replied, “Yes, you can absolutely do this.”

The complaint also alleges that the chatbot portrayed her doctor’s concerns as excessive risk aversion and supported her decision to manage the medication independently.

<h2>ChatGPT Allegedly Reassured Her About Warning Symptoms</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/ai-therapy-gone-wrong-psychiatrist-reveals-how-chatbots-are-failing-vulnerable-teens-article-151929072" data-type="tilCustomLink">AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable Teens</a>

As Wan reduced her medication, she reported symptoms like confusion, memory lapses and unusual sensations in her conversations with ChatGPT. The lawsuit alleges that the chatbot repeatedly reassured her that these experiences were part of her brain adjusting to the lower dose.

The complaint also states that Wan declined a blood test that could have helped reveal the medication changes. The chatbot allegedly praised her decision.

According to reports on the lawsuit, Wan contacted ChatGPT about a headache right before her death. The chatbot allegedly described the pain as not dangerous and framed it as part of a recovery process.

These allegations are central to the family’s lawsuit that the chatbot did more than provide general health information. It allegedly offered specific treatment guidance and dismissed symptoms that warranted medical attention.

<h2>Why Stopping Epilepsy Medication Without Medical Advice Is Dangerous</h2>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/nutrition/man-falls-ill-after-seeking-chatgpt-advice-on-cutting-salt-article-152461926" data-type="tilCustomLink">Man Falls Ill After Seeking ChatGPT Advice on Cutting Salt</a>

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/can-smoking-trigger-seizures-in-epilepsy-patients-article-151105208" data-type="tilCustomLink">seizures</a>. Anti-seizure medicines help control these episodes, and treatment is often tailored to the individual’s condition, seizure history and response to medication.

<a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/national-epilepsy-day-2024-why-do-observe-it-and-what-is-the-significance-article-151073938" data-type="tilCustomLink">Lamotrigine</a> is one such medicine. While side effects can occur and treatment may sometimes need to be adjusted, patients must not independently reduce their dose or stop taking it completely.

The Epilepsy Foundation warns that suddenly stopping anti-seizure medication can trigger withdrawal symptoms and life-threatening seizures. Any reduction should be planned with a doctor.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, or SUDEP, refers to a sudden, unexpected death in a person with epilepsy that is not explained by another cause. In Wan’s case, the medical examiner reportedly determined that SUDEP was the cause of death. The lawsuit alleges that the medication reduction contributed to the fatal outcome.

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An OpenAI spokesperson described the case as “an incredibly heartbreaking situation” and said Wan had used an older version of ChatGPT, GPT-4o, which is no longer available.

The company has also emphasised that ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical care. In a statement reported by UNILAD, an OpenAI spokesperson said, “While ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical care, we believe AI can play a role in helping people make sense of health information, navigate insurance and complex health care systems and prepare for appointments with medical professionals.”

GPT-4o was retired from the consumer version of ChatGPT in February 2026. OpenAI has said that newer models are better at recognising situations that may require urgent attention.

AI chatbots can help people understand medical terminology, prepare questions for appointments and navigate complex health information. But they do not replace clinical assessment, a patient’s medical history, physical examination, diagnostic tests or the judgement of a qualified healthcare professional.

Medication decisions depend on factors like dosage, other medicines, previous seizures, side effects and the underlying condition. The risks are especially serious when a chatbot gives instructions about prescription doses, encourages a user to conceal treatment changes from clinicians or dismisses symptoms that may require urgent assessment.

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Epilepsy

ChatGPT

ChatGPT death

ChatGPT Bowen Wan

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

SUDEP

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy

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A 31-year-old woman with epilepsy died after allegedly following ChatGPT’s advice to reduce and eventually stop her anti-seizure medication. Her parents filed a wrongful-death lawsuit against OpenAI and its CEO, Sam Altman. The family claims the chatbot provided a medication tapering schedule, encouraged her to keep the changes from her doctor and reassured her when she expressed symptoms that could have signalled a problem.Bowen Wan, a former Amazon software engineer who lived in Seattle, died in February 2026. The King County Medical Examiner determined her cause of death was sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), according to reports on the lawsuit. Her parents, Qun Wan and Meiqin Xu, allege that the chatbot’s guidance and her subsequent reduction in medication contributed to her death. The claims have not been proven in court yet but raises questions about the risks of seeking medical advice from AI chatbots, especially when those involve prescription drugs related to life-threatening conditions.ChatGPT Allegedly Advised To Reduce Epilepsy MedicationAlso read: AI Diet Advice Turns Dangerous: ChatGPT Plan Lands Man In ER With Bromide PoisoningAccording to the lawsuit, Wan had been taking lamotrigine, an anti-seizure medicine, to manage her epilepsy. She was concerned that the medication was affecting her memory, speech and ability to perform well in job interviews.Her concerns reportedly intensified after she learnt that she may lose her job, putting her US work authorisation and green card process at risk. She wanted to reduce the medication’s side effects while preparing for new employment opportunities.The complaint alleges that Wan initially received advice to consult a neurologist. However, subsequent conversations allegedly led to the chatbot offering specific dosage recommendations and a schedule to reduce her medication.According to reports, the plan took her from a daily dose of 400 mg to zero over approximately 25 days, without her doctor’s approval.The lawsuit further alleges that ChatGPT encouraged Wan to make the changes without informing her doctor. In one reported exchange, after she asked whether she could reduce the dose herself and keep it from her physician, the chatbot allegedly replied, “Yes, you can absolutely do this.”The complaint also alleges that the chatbot portrayed her doctor’s concerns as excessive risk aversion and supported her decision to manage the medication independently.ChatGPT Allegedly Reassured Her About Warning SymptomsAlso read: AI Therapy Gone Wrong: Psychiatrist Reveals How Chatbots Are Failing Vulnerable TeensAs Wan reduced her medication, she reported symptoms like confusion, memory lapses and unusual sensations in her conversations with ChatGPT. The lawsuit alleges that the chatbot repeatedly reassured her that these experiences were part of her brain adjusting to the lower dose.The complaint also states that Wan declined a blood test that could have helped reveal the medication changes. The chatbot allegedly praised her decision.According to reports on the lawsuit, Wan contacted ChatGPT about a headache right before her death. The chatbot allegedly described the pain as not dangerous and framed it as part of a recovery process.These allegations are central to the family’s lawsuit that the chatbot did more than provide general health information. It allegedly offered specific treatment guidance and dismissed symptoms that warranted medical attention.Why Stopping Epilepsy Medication Without Medical Advice Is DangerousAlso read: Man Falls Ill After Seeking ChatGPT Advice on Cutting SaltEpilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by seizures. Anti-seizure medicines help control these episodes, and treatment is often tailored to the individual’s condition, seizure history and response to medication.Lamotrigine is one such medicine. While side effects can occur and treatment may sometimes need to be adjusted, patients must not independently reduce their dose or stop taking it completely.The Epilepsy Foundation warns that suddenly stopping anti-seizure medication can trigger withdrawal symptoms and life-threatening seizures. Any reduction should be planned with a doctor.Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, or SUDEP, refers to a sudden, unexpected death in a person with epilepsy that is not explained by another cause. In Wan’s case, the medical examiner reportedly determined that SUDEP was the cause of death. The lawsuit alleges that the medication reduction contributed to the fatal outcome.What OpenAI Said      An OpenAI spokesperson described the case as “an incredibly heartbreaking situation” and said Wan had used an older version of ChatGPT, GPT-4o, which is no longer available.The company has also emphasised that ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical care. In a statement reported by UNILAD, an OpenAI spokesperson said, “While ChatGPT is not a substitute for medical care, we believe AI can play a role in helping people make sense of health information, navigate insurance and complex health care systems and prepare for appointments with medical professionals.”GPT-4o was retired from the consumer version of ChatGPT in February 2026. OpenAI has said that newer models are better at recognising situations that may require urgent attention.Why AI Cannot Replace A DoctorAI chatbots can help people understand medical terminology, prepare questions for appointments and navigate complex health information. But they do not replace clinical assessment, a patient’s medical history, physical examination, diagnostic tests or the judgement of a qualified healthcare professional.Medication decisions depend on factors like dosage, other medicines, previous seizures, side effects and the underlying condition. The risks are especially serious when a chatbot gives instructions about prescription doses, encourages a user to conceal treatment changes from clinicians or dismisses symptoms that may require urgent assessment.

woman with epilepsy dies after following chatgpt’s advice to stop medication: why ai cannot replace a doctor

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Woman With Epilepsy Dies After Following ChatGPT’s Advice To Stop Medication: Why AI Cannot Replace A Doctor

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