Fade in response to tetanic stimulation was studied following administration of atracurium 120 or 225 micrograms/kg, vecuronium 23 or 40 micrograms/kg, pancuronium 30 or 60 micrograms/kg, or d-tubocurarine 185 or 450 micrograms/kg. Ten patients received each dose and tetanic fade was measured at maximum block in the patients, who received the lower doses of the relaxants or at 10% recovery in those who received the higher doses. Fade during tetanic stimulation was generally similar in all the groups with the exception of the higher dose of pancuronium which showed a significantly greater fade in comparison with the higher doses of atracurium and d-tubocurarine. If fade in response to tetanic stimulation represents a prejunctional effect, the results from the present study suggest that neuromuscular blocking drugs cannot be differentiated with respect to their relative prejunctional effects by measurement of tetanic fade during established block after administration of clinically useful doses as used in the present study.