The absorption, pharmacokinetics and excretion of levovirin were studied in Sprague-Dawley rats (30 mg/kg) and Beagle dogs (30 mg/kg) following intravenous (iv) and oral administration of [(3)H]levovirin, and in Cynomolgus monkeys following iv and oral administration of [(14)C]levovirin. Oral absorption was 31.3% in rats, 67.3% in dogs and 17.5% in monkeys, and the bioavailability was 29.3% in rats, 51.3% in dogs and 18.4% in monkeys. After iv administration, the elimination half-life (t(1/2)) was 1.47 h in rats, 3.70 h in dogs and 3.50 h in monkeys. The total body clearance was 8.24, 2.96 and 2.58 mL/min per kg, respectively, in rats, dogs and monkeys and the apparent volume of distribution was 0.79, 0.95 and 0.65 L/kg. No metabolite was detected in plasma or urine of rats, dogs or monkeys, indicating negligible metabolism of levovirin in these animals. Excretion of total radioactivity in urine after oral dosing accounted for 15.4% of the administered dose in rats, 49.9% in dogs and 21.4% in monkeys. Biliary excretion did not play a significant role in the elimination of levovirin.