The effect of various drugs on the stability of the liposomal membrane of phosphatidylcholine and cholesterol was studied, employing the fluorescence self-quenching method. Calcein was entrapped into the phospholipid small unilamellar vesicles and the leakage of the fluorescence probe was monitored on adding the drug to the system. The results of the experiments showed that phenothiazine derivatives, some potent local anesthetics and surface active agents were very effective in inducing the leakage of calcein from the liposome. The leakage-inducing activity of these drug substances has been ascribed to their surface activity and the perturbation of the liposomal membrane by these substances. On the other hand drug substance with low surface activity or without amphiphilic moieties did not show any effect or only small effect on the leakage of calcein from the liposomes. The effect of lipid concentration on the stability of the liposomes was also investigated to show that the higher concentrations of lipid more drug was required to induce the leakage. The effect of surface charges of vesicles was also studied, and the results showed that the charge on the liposomes enhanced the stability of the liposomes against the leakage-inducing activity of these drug substances.