What Is Paromomycin? Uses, Dosage, and What You Need to Know in 2026

Paromomycin is an oral antibiotic that most people have never heard of — and if they have, it's usually because they're struggling to find it at a pharmacy. It's not a common prescription, but for the conditions it treats, it plays a critical role that few other drugs can fill. Here's what you need to know.

What Is Paromomycin?

Paromomycin is an aminoglycoside antibiotic — a class of antibiotics known for their ability to kill bacteria and certain parasites by disrupting protein synthesis. It is sold in the United States under the brand name

Humatin (250 mg capsules), currently manufactured exclusively by Waylis Therapeutics. No generic version is available in the US as of 2026.

What makes paromomycin unique among antibiotics is that it is

barely absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract — nearly 100% of the drug is recovered unchanged in the stool. This means it acts entirely within the intestinal lumen, making it highly effective against intestinal parasites while minimizing the risk of systemic side effects.

What Is Paromomycin Used For?

Paromomycin has two FDA-approved indications:

Intestinal amebiasis: A parasitic infection of the intestines caused by Entamoeba histolytica. Paromomycin is used as a luminal agent to eradicate E. histolytica cysts from the intestine, typically after initial treatment with a nitroimidazole (metronidazole or tinidazole) for the invasive phase of infection.

Hepatic coma (adjunctive therapy): As an adjunct in the management of hepatic encephalopathy, a complication of severe liver disease. Paromomycin works by reducing ammonia-producing bacteria in the gut.

It is also used off-label (not FDA-approved but medically supported) for:

Cryptosporidiosis (especially in HIV-positive or immunocompromised patients)

Giardiasis — particularly in pregnant patients where metronidazole is not recommended

Dientamoeba fragilis infection

Tapeworm infections (beef tapeworm, dog tapeworm)

What Dosage Is Paromomycin Available In?

Paromomycin (Humatin) is only available as

250 mg oral capsules in the United States. There is no liquid formulation commercially available.

How Is Paromomycin Dosed?

Dosing depends on the condition being treated:

Intestinal amebiasis: 25–35 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses with meals for 5–10 days (typically 7 days). Both adults and children use the same weight-based dosing.

Hepatic coma: 4 g per day in divided doses at regular intervals for 5–6 days (adults only).

Always follow your prescriber's specific instructions, as dosing may vary based on weight, severity of infection, and other factors.

How Do You Take Paromomycin?

Take paromomycin with meals to reduce nausea and GI discomfort

Swallow capsules whole with a full glass of water

Do not skip doses — completing the full course is essential to prevent relapse

Store at controlled room temperature (15–30°C / 59–86°F) away from moisture

Is Paromomycin a Controlled Substance?

No. Paromomycin is not a controlled substance and is not scheduled by the DEA. Any licensed prescriber can write the prescription, and it can be called in, faxed, or sent electronically. There are no special requirements around prescribing or dispensing beyond those that apply to all prescription drugs.

Finding Paromomycin in 2026

With no generic version and limited stocking at most pharmacies, finding Humatin can be challenging.

medfinder is a paid service that calls pharmacies near you to identify which ones have it in stock. Also read our post on

how paromomycin works for a plain-English explanation of its mechanism of action.