Elimination of caffeine from plasma and excretion of main metabolites of metamizol (noramidopyrine methanesulphonate sodium) in urine were determined in young healthy (age 18-27 years) and in old aged volunteers (older than 65 years). From the elimination velocity of these model substances conclusions concerning the activity of 3-methylcholanthrene inducible (caffeine elimination) and of phenobarbital inducible (metamizol elimination) isoenzymes of cytochrome P-450 are drawn. Whereas in old age caffeine metabolism is unchanged, there is a strong delay in renal excretion of main metabolites of metamizol in old volunteers. It is concluded that different hepatic cytochrome P-450 isoenzymes are differentially influenced with increasing age in men.