The relationship between in vitro release and in vivo bioavailability of acetaminophen from suppositories was investigated. Effect of glycyrrhizin on the drug release and rectal absorption in rats was also examined. Suppositories containing 25mg of acetaminophen were prepared with Wecobee FS (fatty base) or PEG (water-soluble base) bases. The release from the suppositories were determined with USP rotating basket dissolution apparatus and with the suppository release tester. The temperature of the dissolution medium was very critical for the dissolution of acetaminophen from Wecobee FS suppositories. The bioavailability of acetaminophen was calculated from the plasma concentration-time curve after rectal administration of the suppositories to the rats. There were no significant differences in AUC following rectal administration of Wecobee FS and PEG suppositories, but the release and absorption from the Wecobee FS suppositories were faster than those from PEG suppositories. The dissolution rate obtained by the suppository release tester was better correlated with in vivo absorption rate constant than that by the USP dissolution apparatus. It suggests that the partitioning between rectal fluid and suppository base is the rate-limiting step in the rectal absorption of acetaminophen from suppositories. Glycyrrhizin was found not to affect in vitro dissolution and rectal absorption of acetaminophen.