When typing /help effect or just /effect, the game brings up the correct syntax in the chat, which reads:
/effect <player> <effect> [seconds] [amplifier] [hideParticles]
The <effect> argument also has another option, which is 'clear':
/effect <player> clear
which will clear all of their effects.
This option is not shown in the help syntax, and this other option should be shown.
Note: This bug and another bug that I posted, MC-66923, are greatly linked and should both be seen together.