The toxicity of 6-mercaptopurine was potentiated by 2 mg of either Escherichia coli 026:B6 B endotoxin or Salmonella typhosa 0901 W endotoxin per kg. Nonlethal doses of heat-killed, gram-negative bacteria were also capable of potentiating the lethality of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP). Salmonella minnesota S, the wild-type strain, and S. minnesota Re 595, a mutant containing only the lipid A and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctonate moiety of the endotoxin molecule, exhibited the same capability to enhance the toxic action of 6-MP. Endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide [LPS]) did not affect the clearance of 6-MP from the circulation, but did alter its apparent metabolism as indicated by blood levels of a metabolite, 6-thiouric acid. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in mice 18 h after injection of 100 mg of 6-MP per kg simultaneously with 2 mg of LPS per kg was significantly elevated over normal values. However, these BUN values were significantly less than those resulting from the administration of one mean lethal dose of either agent. The clearance from the circulation of the gram-negative organism E. coli HB, or the gram-positive organism Staphylococcus epidermidis S, was not affected by 6-MP. Endotoxin had no effect on the clearance of S. epidermidis S, but inhibited that of E. coli HB. When 6-MP and LPS were administered simultaneously with either bacterial species, only the clearance of E. coli HB was inhibited. Mice were protected from the lethality associated with combinations of 6-MP and LPS by (i) prior treatment with phenobarbital, (ii) caffeine, (iii) methylprednisolone, and (iv) polymyxin B sulfate. With the exception of caffeine, each regimen protected mice against the lethal effects of 400 mg of 6-MP per kg, and methylprednisolone or polymyxin B protected mice against 8 mg of LPS per kg.