The pharmacokinetics of vancomycin were studied in four patients on continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis. After a single intravenous infusion of 10 mg/kg of total body weight, multiple blood, urine, and dialysate samples were collected during a 72-h evaluation period. The steady-state volume of distribution was 0.73 +/- 0.07 (mean +/- standard deviation) liters/kg with a beta half-life of 90.2 +/- 24.2 h. The continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis clearance of vancomycin was 1.35 +/- 0.35 ml/min, and the serum clearance was 6.4 +/- 1.1 ml/min. Peritoneal dialysate concentrations of vancomycin were rapidly attained after the intravenous infusion and averaged 2.2 +/- 0.7 mg/liter throughout the 72-h observation period. A loading dose of 23 mg/kg followed by a maintenance dose of 17 mg/kg every 7 days should attain and maintain therapeutic serum and dialysate concentrations. More frequent dosing may be necessary for less susceptible organisms.