1.4-Dihydroisonicotinic acid derivatives were used as an example to examine the mechanisms of action of exogenous antimutagens in chemical mutagenesis in eukaryotic organisms. The chemical mutagenesis was stimulated by alkylating agents, mutagens of direct action. The behaviour of alkylating mutagenesis was analysed, which gives an insight into the stages at which antimutagens may be involved in this process. Chemical mutagenesis was demonstrated to be suppressed due to lower molecular doses of the mutagen and by affecting the mechanisms of implementation of chemically induced mutations. Great emphasis was laid on the mechanisms of action of mutagens mediated by the intracellular antimutagenic and reparative systems. A special role is played by the analysis of exogenous antimutagens affecting DNA reparation as the most important step in the process of conversion of primary damages to fixed mutations. The paper presents a review of literature on basic problems of chemical mutagenesis modification.