Prescriptions for ivermectin, an anti-parasitic used to de-worm animals, have been increasing rapidly in recent weeks despite a lack of evidence of the drug’s clinical effectiveness as a COVID-19 treatment.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) noted a 24-fold increase in prescriptions from pre-pandemic levels, as well as cases of people ingesting ivermectin-containing products purchased without a prescription, including topical formulations and veterinary products.

Overdoses of ivermectin are linked with low blood pressure, confusion, hallucinations, seizures, coma and even death.