Effect of ofloxacin, a new quinolone antibacterial agent, on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline was studied in rats in comparison with that of enoxacin and cimetidine. Ofloxacin by pretreatment with five oral doses of 50 mg/kg did not increase serum concentrations of theophylline (5 mg/kg, i.v. single) and showed no significant effect on total body clearance, serum half-life (T1/2) and AUC of theophylline, while enoxacin by the same pretreatment increased significantly serum theophylline concentrations and resulted in significant effect on all the pharmacokinetic parameters. Coadministration of ofloxacin (80 mg/kg, p.o. twice) did not induce a significant effect on the pharmacokinetic parameters of theophylline at repeated doses (50 mg/kg, i.v., twice daily for 3 days). On the contrary, coadministration of enoxacin and cimetidine at the same dose as ofloxacin remarkably increased serum concentrations of theophylline at the same repeated doses, and caused a significant decrease in clearance and an increase in T1/2 and AUC. The three drugs had no influence on rat serum protein binding of theophylline. Ofloxacin exhibited a weak inhibitory effect on rat hepatic microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent monooxygenases, whereas enoxacin and cimetidine induced a significant inhibition of the enzymes. Thus, it is concluded that ofloxacin has no significant effect on the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in rats, and that enoxacin raises serum theophylline concentrations and results in a significant effect on the theophylline pharmacokinetics by inhibition of the hepatic microsomal monooxygenases in rats.