Relative bioavailability after oral administration of a single dose and C_min levels of tetracycline in plasma after multiple doses were determined in groups of well-nourished and undernourished subjects. The relative bioavailability of tetracycline, assessed by the area under serum concentration time-curves, did not differ in undernourished and well-nourished patients. The plasma levels were not different in the two groups after the conventional dose of tetracycline HCl 250 mg at 6 hour intervals. However, in these studies undernourished subjects received a higher dose per kg body weight, which could have compensated for any effect of a shortened half life of the drug. When the dose per kg body weight was reduced, the C_min levels were lower. On the other hand, with the same dose per kg body weight at more frequent intervals, the plasma concentrations were similar to those in well-nourished subjects. These studies indicate that the dosage regimen should be based both on body weight and on the nutritional status of the individual.