L-erythro-Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic primarily used to treat bacterial infections, especially those caused by susceptible strains of bacteria in the respiratory tract, urinary tract, and eyes. It is commonly formulated in topical ophthalmic preparations such as eye drops and ointments for the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis and other eye infections. Due to its ability to inhibit bacterial protein synthesis, it is effective against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

In veterinary medicine, it is used to manage infections in animals, particularly in poultry and aquaculture. It has also been used in the treatment of typhoid fever and meningitis in regions where resistance to other antibiotics is prevalent. However, due to the risk of serious side effects such as bone marrow suppression and aplastic anemia, its systemic use in humans is generally restricted to cases where safer alternatives are not effective or available.

The compound is also employed in microbiology laboratories as a selective agent in culture media to isolate specific pathogens by inhibiting the growth of unwanted bacteria. Its stability and potent antibacterial action make it valuable in research settings for studying antibiotic resistance and bacterial growth inhibition.