Emetine is an alkaloid that has been found in ipecac root and has diverse biological activities. It is active against several strains of E. histolytica amoebae (ICs = 0.73-10.22 μg/ml). Emetine inhibits NF-κB signaling induced by TNF-α or IL-1β (ICs = 2 and 4.2 μM, respectively, in a cell-based β-lactamase reporter assay), increases caspase-3/7 activity in ME180 cells (EC = 1.1 μM), and is cytotoxic to HeLa cells. It reduces the infectious virus yield and viral RNA copy numbers in the culture supernatant of Vero E6 cells infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2; ECs = 0.46 and 0.5 μM, respectively). Emetine (5 mg/kg) induces emesis in ferrets, an effect that can be prevented by the serotonin (5-HT) receptor subtype 5-HT antagonist ondansetron.