(KY3) - With the ongoing pandemic, consumers are turning to other methods to treat or prevent COVID-19.

According to the Food and Drug Administration, there is a growing interest to use ivermectin, which is often used to treat or prevent parasites in animals.

CoxHealth says ivermectin is not an anti-viral drug and is not intended to be used against COVID-19.

Trotman explained there are no other motives and no one plans on using this drug to treat COVID-19.

Ivermectin is not an anti-viral drug and can only be used safely at very specific doses for some parasitic worms, topicals for head lice and skin conditions according to the FDA.

“About 75% of the people who come in and buy ivermection are using it to treat or prevent COVID-19 or so they say,” said Kimberly Edwards.