Five Oregonians have been hospitalized recently due to the consumption of an antiparasitic drug, ivermectin, despite no clinical data supporting its use in the protection against COVID-19.

The Oregon Poison Center has managed 25 cases involving the use of ivermectin between Aug. 1 and Sept. 14. Two of the five Oregonians hospitalized required intensive care.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved ivermectin tablets to treat people with intestinal strongyloidiasis and onchocerciasis, two conditions caused by parasitic worms, according to the FDA website. Some topical forms of the drug are approved to treat head lice and skin conditions, like rosacea.