1. The nonpeptide bradykinin B2 receptor antagonist, FR173657 ((E)-3-(6-acetamido-3-pyridyl)-N-[N-(2, 4-dichloro-3-[(2-methyl-8-quinolinyl) oxymethyl] phenyl]-N-methylaminocarbonylmethyl] acrylamide), was tested in models involving bradykinin-induced activation of primary afferent neurones in vitro and in vivo. 2. Bradykinin-induced contractions of the rabbit isolated iris sphincter muscle mediated by tachykinin release from trigeminal afferent neurones were inhibited in a non-competitive manner by FR173657. A pKB value of 7.9 was calculated. Effects of substance P were unaffected by FR173657. 3. Nociceptive behavioural responses following intraplantar injection of bradykinin in unanaesthetized rats were reduced by 0.3 micromol kg(-1) FR173657 s.c. (P < 0.05), and completely abolished by 3 micromol kg(-1) (P < 0.05). Peroral administration of 5 micromol kg(-1) FR173657 abolished the bradykinin effects (P < 0.05); lower doses had no significant effect. 4. Shortening by intraplantar injection of bradykinin of the paw withdrawal latency in response to radiant heat was abolished by 3 micromol kg(-1) FR173657 s.c. (P < 0.05), while 300 nmol kg(-1) had an intermediate effect. Hyperalgesia induced by prostaglandin E2 remained unaffected by FR173657. 5. Blood pressure reflexes following i.p. instillation of bradykinin in anaesthetized rats were inhibited by FR173657 s.c. with an ID50 of 1.1 micromol kg(-1), while the peptidic B2 antagonist icatibant (Hoe-140; D-Arg0-[Hyp3, Thi5, D-Tic7, Oic8]-bradykinin) caused inhibition at significantly lower doses (ID50 8.5 nmol kg(-1) P < 0.001). Responses to hydrochloric acid i.p. remained unaffected by FR173657. 6. FR173657 or similar nonpeptide compounds may be useful for the development of drugs for diseases involving pain induced by the release of endogenous kinins, i.e. especially in acute inflammatory conditions.