The pharmacokinetics of fluconazole after a single 100 mg i.v. dose were studied in 10 healthy subjects (5 M; 5 F) and 10 HIV-positive patients (8 M; 2 F). The mean value of plasma clearance was 25% lower in the patient groups (17 +/- 6 (s.d.) vs 23 +/- 4 ml min-1; 95% CI of difference -11 to -0.7; P < 0.05). This difference may have been related to slightly reduced kidney function in the patient group (mean creatinine clearance -18%) but is unlikely to be clinically significant. Therefore, no adjustment of the dose of intravenously administered fluconazole appears to be necessary in AIDS patients without clinical signs of enteropathy.