Chloramphenicol is widely used as an antibiotic to treat various bacterial infections. It is effective against a broad range of bacteria, making it useful for treating conditions such as meningitis, typhoid fever, and eye infections. In veterinary medicine, it is applied to treat infections in animals. Due to its ability to penetrate tissues well, it is particularly valuable in treating infections in hard-to-reach areas like the brain and eyes. However, its use is often limited to severe cases because of potential side effects, including bone marrow suppression. It is also used in research settings as a selective agent in molecular biology to isolate genetically modified cells.