The pharmacokinetics of pentoxifylline was studied in healthy male volunteers following single oral doses of 100, 200 and 400 mg of the drug in solution. Concentrations of the drug and three of its metabolites were determined in plasma. The major urinary metabolite was also determined for 24 hours after dosing. Pentoxifylline was rapidly and extensively absorbed at all doses. Peak plasma concentrations of pentoxifylline occurred between 0.29 and 0.41 hours after dosing. Its metabolites, a secondary alcohol and two homologous carboxylic acids showed tmax values from 0.72 to 1.15 hours. Cmax and AUC values increased in a dose-dependent manner for pentoxifylline and its metabolites over the three dose levels though strict dose proportionality could only be demonstrated for the principal carboxylic acid metabolite. The apparent plasma half-life of pentoxifylline varied between 0.39 and 0.84 hours for the various doses while the apparent half-lives of the metabolites were in the range of 0.96 to 1.61 hours. The major circulating metabolites, the secondary alcohol and carboxypropyl derivative, were at consistently higher plasma concentrations than the parent drug. Two major pathways account for the circulating metabolites of pentoxifylline though oxidation of the parent drug to a carboxylic acid accounts for the formation of the principal urinary elimination product. Because of the pharmacological activities of pentoxifylline, studies are proposed of the pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic correlations of pentoxifylline and its metabolites. The present pharmacokinetic results further support the use of a controlled-release dosage form of pentoxifylline for therapy.