To test the hypothesis that renal failure alters the disposition of cibenzoline in humans, an absolute bioavailability and elimination kinetic study was performed. We used the simultaneous administration of a stable isotope variant (SASIV). Eight healthy volunteers and eight matched hemodialysis patients each received simultaneously an 80‐mg intravenous infusion of 15N‐2‐cibenzoline and a single 80‐mg cibenzoline capsule. Cibenzoline plasma concentrations were assayed by a gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric assay. A compartment‐independent kinetic analysis showed a plasma clearance of 707 mL/min and an elimination half‐life of 7.3 hours after the intravenous dose in healthy volunteers. In renal‐failure patients, cibenzoline clearance decreased to 224 mL/min and half‐life increased to 22.4 hours. Decreased plasma clearance was due to decreases in both renal and nonrenal clearance. Absolute bioavailability was 83% and 90% in healthy volunteers and renal‐failure patients, respectively. Hemodialysis accounted for only 13