It is produced by the strain of Streptomyces rimosus var. paromomycinus. A broad-spectrum antibiotic, it is used (generally as the sulfate salt) for the treatment of acute and chronic intestinal protozoal infections, but is not effective for extraintestinal protozoal infections. It is also used as a therapeutic against visceral leishmaniasis. It has a role as an antibacterial drug, an antiprotozoal drug, an anthelminthic drug and an antiparasitic agent.