1. Electrophysiological effects of three drugs (tetrodotoxin, lidocaine, and amiodarone), which are known to depress Na channels in cardiac tissues, were studied on isolated guinea pig Purkinje fibers, by means of microelectrode techniques, and compared the findings with their effects on the ventricular papillary muscle. 2. Special attention was paid with regard to their effects on the maximum upstroke velocity (Vmax) of action potentials. 3. In Purkinje fibers, tetrodotoxin was the most inhibitory for Vmax, then in descending order, amiodarone, and lidocaine. 4. That is, half maximal inhibition (IC50) of Vmax by tetrodotoxin, lidocaine and amiodarone was approximately 1.7 x 10(-5) M, 1.5 x 10(-4) M and 2.8 x 10(-4) M, respectively. 5. As for papillary muscle, higher concentrations of the three drugs were needed to get similar potency. 6. The relationships between the depression in the Vmax and action potential duration are discussed in conjunction with their antiarrhythmic activities.