The rat enteral and rabbit rectal models were utilized to study the effect of Capmul (medium chain glycerides) on the absorption of a selection of beta-lactam and aminoglycoside antibiotics. All tested non-orally available beta-lactam antibiotics (cefamandole, cefotaxime, moxalactam, cefoxitin, mezlocillin, carumonam, penicillin G and amdinocillin) showed increased absorption enterally in rats and rectally in rabbits when formulated with Capmul. The orally available beta-lactam antibiotics, cephalexin and cephradine, were not enhanced in their enteral or rectal absorption by Capmul in the two model systems. Ampicillin absorption was enhanced rectally and enterally by Capmul. Rectal absorption of the aminoglycoside antibiotics, tobramycin and gentamycin, was enhanced by Capmul while enteral absorption was not.