Used primarily as an antibiotic, especially in topical treatments for bacterial skin infections such as impetigo. It is effective against Gram-positive bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes. Its main application is in the treatment of minor skin infections in humans, often formulated in creams or ointments. Due to its unique mechanism of action—targeting bacterial protein synthesis by inhibiting isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase—it shows low potential for cross-resistance with other antibiotics, making it valuable in managing resistant strains. Also used in veterinary medicine and as a research tool in microbiology and molecular biology studies involving protein synthesis inhibition.