Nifedipine can attenuate pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation both in the presence and in the absence of alpha-adrenoceptor blocking agents. 2. In the presence of alpha,beta-methylene ATP, nifedipine produces only a small attenuation of the vasopressor response. 3. Nifedipine attenuates the vasopressor response produced by intravenous bolus administration of alpha,beta-methylene ATP. 4. The results suggest that the purinergic component of the vasopressor response to stimulation of the sympathetic outflow in the rat is subject to blockade by nifedipine, whereas the alpha-adrenoceptor-mediated response to co-transmitter noradrenaline is relatively resistant.