(R)-(-)-benoxaprofen is stereospecifically inverted to the (S)-(+)-enantiomer by rats and humans. The rate of inversion is much faster in rats (t 1/2 ca. 2.5 h) than in humans (t 1/2 108 h). Inversion in rats apparently does not occur in the liver, but can be brought about in vitro by an everted intestinal sac preparation, suggesting that the transformation takes place while passing through the gut wall.