The absorption of talinolol (TA) 50 mg was investigated without and together with the co-administration of sulfasalazine (SASP) 4 g in 11 healthy young volunteers, in order to clarify gastrointestinal transit of TA. Without SASP, the tmax of TA was 2.8 h, Cmax was 112 ng.ml-1 and the half life was 12 h; the AUCo-t was 958 ng.ml-1.h. In the case of concomitant administration of SASP, TA was found only in serum from 3 individuals, with a Cmax of 23 ng.ml-1 and a mean AUCo-t of 84 ng.ml-1.h. TA was not detectable in 5 subjects and it was at the limit of detection (2 ng.ml-1) in 3 subjects. Pharmacokinetic analysis was not possible in any of those individuals. The reason for the interaction appears to be the adsorption of TA by SASP. An interval of 2-3 h should elapse between giving SASP and other drugs.