An observer-blind randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study was conducted in 22 healthy male subjects. They received 2 g cefpirome or placebo intravenously following an overnight fast. One hour later they consumed a single 0.5 g/kg dose of alcohol. The treatments were reversed after a seven-day 'washout' period. Subjects were evaluated for any adverse events or 'disulfiram-like' symptoms. The effects of cefpirome on the pharmacokinetics of alcohol were also studied. There were no statistically significant differences in mean values for the various pharmacokinetic parameters for plasma alcohol between the cefpirome and placebo treatment groups. There were no side effects or 'disulfiram-like' reactions following consumption of alcohol in either group. A single iv dose of 2 g cefpirome was well-tolerated in healthy males and, moreover, pre-treatment with cefpirome did not adversely affect the metabolism of alcohol in these subjects.