Ristocetin A sulfate is primarily used in medical and diagnostic applications. It is often employed as an antibiotic to treat severe bacterial infections, particularly those caused by Gram-positive bacteria. In clinical laboratories, it serves as a key reagent in the diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD), a bleeding disorder. The chemical induces platelet aggregation in the presence of von Willebrand factor, making it valuable for assessing the functionality of this factor in blood samples. Additionally, it is utilized in research settings to study bacterial cell wall synthesis and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. Its role in both therapeutic and diagnostic fields highlights its importance in healthcare and biomedical sciences.