The aim of this study is to determine the effect of levamisole and levamisole-trichlorfon combination on isolated sheep trachea. Contraction was achieved with levamisole concentrations (10(-8)-10(-3) M) on tracheal strips of adult sheep (> 1 year of age). Pretreatment with trichlorfon (10(-7) M)-levamisole (10(-7) M) decreased the pD2 and E(max) of Ach when compared to levamisole pretreatment (p < or = 0.01). Pretreatment with levamisole (10(-7) M), decreased the E(max) (p < or = 0.01) and pD2 (p < 0.05) of bethanechol concentrations (10(-8)-10(-3) M) significantly. Pretreatment with atropine (10(-6) M) decreased the E(max) of levamisole (10(-4) M) significantly (p < 0.05). To conclude, levamisole acted mainly on the muscarinic receptors of the sheep trachea and this effect was partly inhibited by atropine. Adverse interaction was present between levamisole and trichlorfon.