The mechanism of interaction between metoclopramide (MCP) and chlorpromazine (CPZ) has been examined in rats. MCP given intraperitoneally 30 min before orally administered CPZ significantly enhanced the cataleptic and hypothermic effects of CPZ, and also initially increased its plasma and brain concentrations. However, MCP had no effect on the plasma and brain concentrations of CPZ given as an intravenous bolus, indicating that MCP interacts with CPZ during its intestinal absorption. Furthermore, co-administration of MCP (i.p.) with CPZ (p.o.) markedly accelerated gastric emptying compared with CPZ alone, and MCP (i.v.) did not alter the uptake of CPZ by the intestinal membrane. Therefore, it is concluded that MCP causes an increase in the rate of CPZ absorption, by accelerating the gastric emptying.