Four agents, which could delay intestinal transit, were tested in six short-bowel patients (jejunal length 30-120 cm) on long-term nutritional/electrolyte replacement therapy. Intestinal transit time of a liquid test meal and nutrient, water and sodium absorption were measured during a control study and with each test agent on separate days. Soy polysaccharide tended to increase transit time, but decreased the absorption of water, sodium and nutrients. Codeine phosphate and loperamide caused inconsistent and clinically unimportant changes. Octreotide, a long-acting analogue of somatostatin, delayed transit and increased water, sodium and calorie absorption from the meal. Octreotide appears to have the potential to reduce the need for electrolyte and nutritional supplements in patients with the short-bowel syndrome.