SEATTLE, Wash. – University of Washington Medicine is warning against using the anti-parasitic medication ivermectin to treat or prevent COVID-19.

Clinical pharmacist Rupali Jain says this time of uncertainty has driven some people to find anything that can help.

But she says ivermectin isn’t where they should turn.

“The human use product is safe, generally, but it can interact with other medications. It can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure and dizziness,” says Jain. ” So, we really want to avoid unnecessary use of this agent.”

And she says people should never take ivermectin that’s intended for animals as it’s in a very concentrated form and contains substances that haven’t been tested for humans.

She says all the major health organizations recommend against using ivermectin against COVID-19 and the most effective way to prevent severe illness is by getting vaccinated.