Isolated hepatocytes form thiobarbituric acid (TBA)-reactants, a parameter of lipid peroxidation (LPO), when exposed to cadmium (Cd). Paracetamol (Para) inhibits this response, dependent on time and concentration. Cd-induced SH-group decline, however, and enhanced plasma membrane permeability to Trypan Blue (TB) were not inhibited by Para. This indicates that Cd-induced cell damage and Cd-induced LPO are independent events. Experiments using cells with enhanced and lowered metabolism of Para after phenobarbital- and acetone- or heat-and metyrapone treatment, respectively, suggest a potentially inhibitory effect of both Para and its metabolite(s) on LPO. The antioxidative potency of Para turned out to be small compared to that of the radical scavenger (+)-cyanidanol-3.