Substance P (SP) is a member of the tachykinin family of bioactive peptides and has highest affinity for the NK-1 receptor. We have developed the non-peptide compound HSP-117 as a selective antagonist of the NK-1 receptor. Binding of 3H-SP to the membranes of IM-9 cells was inhibited by the antagonists HSP-117 and CP-99,994, the inhibitory activity of HSP-117 being 50-fold that of CP-99,994. The SP-induced firing responses of single neuron activity in slices of the nucleus tractus solitarius of ferrets were inhibited by 10 microM HSP-117. Intracerebroventricular injection of HSP-117 significantly inhibited retching and vomiting induced by copper sulphate and morphine and the inhibitory effect of HSP-117 on emesis was greater than that of CP-99,994. Moreover, emesis induced by copper sulphate and morphine were inhibited by the microinjection of HSP-117 and CP-99,994 into the area postrema and by lesion of the area postrema. These results indicate that HSP-117 is a potent anti-emetic agent, blocking NK-1 receptors in the area postrema and that NK-1 receptors in the area postrema play an important role in emesis induced by broad-spectrum emetic stimuli.