The tachykinins represent one of the most thoroughly investigated family of neuropeptides, whose members and receptors have been characterized at the genetic and molecular level and whose pharmacology has now been advanced to the first clinical application. These exciting accomplishments and prospects are reviewed and discussed in this volume in an authoritative manner. Particular emphasis is laid on the development of selective non-peptide antagonists for all 3 tachykinin receptors and their potential as novel drugs in a variety of diseases. The approval of the first tachykinin receptor antagonist as an antiemetic drug is particularly highlighted, and the utility of tachykinin receptor antagonists in affective disorders, chronic obstructive airway disease and irritable bowel syndrome, to name a few indications, is extensively considered.