Fenspiride (60 mg/kg; p.o. for 3 days) reduces the lipopolysaccharide-induced early rise of tumor necrosis factor concentrations in serum and in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of the model of endotoxemia. Fenspiride (60 mg/kg; p.o. for 3 days) reduces the lipopolysaccharide-induced primed stimulation of alveolar macrophages. Fenspiride (60 mg/kg; p.o. for 3 days) reduces the increased serum concentrations of extracellular type II phospholipase A 2, the intensity of the neutrophilic alveolar invasion and the lethality due to the lipopolysaccharide.