A prior report has suggested that loading doses of intraperitoneal Vancoled (vancomycin, Lederle) cause chemical peritonitis in patients with catheter infections. The present open-label study was conducted to determine the effects of a 30 mg/kg intraperitoneal loading dose of Vancoled given to five patients with a culture-positive, erythematous, draining exit-site infection. Prior to dosing, all dialysate was drained and sent for baseline cell count and culture. The loading dose was added to the dialysate and infused in the usual fashion. A sample of dialysate was drained at two hours and sent for cell count and culture. The entire exchange was drained at four hours and also sent for cell count and culture. Serum vancomycin concentrations wer measured at four hours. Baseline dialysate contained less than 9 white blood cells per microliter in all patients. Two and four hour samples contained less than 4 and less than 11 white blood cells per microliter, respectively. All fluid was sterile. WB C differential counts were unremarkable. No adverse effects occurred. The mean serum vancomycin concentration was 26.5 micrograms/ml. Intraperitoneal Vancoled did not cause chemical peritonitis and was well-tolerated by patients with exit-site infections.