Chlormethiazole is a strong inhibitor of cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases in isolated human liver microsomes. To assess its effect in vivo, we measured the pharmacokinetic parameters of antipyrine (1.2 g orally) and tolbutamide (0.5 g i.v.) before and after administration of chlormethiazole 314 mg b.d. for 2 days to 8 healthy volunteers. The elimination of neither substance was affected, indicating that chlormethiazole did not inhibit in vivo the cytochrome P-450 isozymes responsible for the elimination of antipyrine and tolbutamide.