The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas has filed a lawsuit against a county jail on the behalf of inmates who claim they were given ivermectin to treat COVID-19 without their consent.

According to the suit, four inmates at the Washington County Detention Center were given what jail officials called “vitamins,” “antibiotics” and “steroids” to treat their COVID-19 symptoms after testing positive for the virus last August. However, the individuals later found out they had actually been taking an undisclosed dose of ivermectin.

Washington County Sheriff Tim Helder previously confirmed that the jail’s healthcare provider, Karas Correctional Health, began prescribing the controversial drug to treat COVID-19 as early as November 2020. The drug, which is used to treat parasites in humans and animals, has not been found to successfully treat Coronavirus symptoms and can lead to harmful side effects if misused.

“Without knowing and voluntary consent, plaintiffs ingested incredibly high doses of a drug that credible medical professionals, the FDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all agree is not an effective treatment against COVID-19 and that if given in large doses is dangerous for humans,” the lawsuit states.

According to the ACLU, some inmates were given up to six times the approved amount of the drug. The four individuals named in the suit said they suffered side effects from ivermectin, including vision problems, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

“No one — including incarcerated individuals — should be deceived and subject to medical experimentation,” Arkansas ACLU Legal Director Gary Sullivan said in a statement. “Sheriff Helder has a responsibility to provide food, shelter and safe, appropriate care to incarcerated individuals.”

“The detention center failed to use safe and appropriate treatments for COVID-19, even in the midst of a pandemic, and they must be held accountable,” he added.

According to the Associated Press, the Arkansas State Medical Board is already investigating Karas Correctional Health over the jail’s use of ivermectin. In September, Dr. Robert Karas, who owns the healthcare provider; said 254 Washington County Detention Center inmates had been treated with the drug.