The efficacy and toxicity aspects of the iron and aluminium chelating drugs desferrioxamine and deferiprone (L1, 1,2-dimethyl-3-hydroxypyrid-4-one), have been compared. Major emphasis was given in the use of these two and also of other chelators in conditions of iron overload, imbalance and toxicity, as well as the incidence and possible causes of toxic side effects in both animals and humans. The chemical basis of chelation and the interaction of these chelators with the iron pools are discussed within the context of clinical application in iron overload and other conditions such as renal dialysis, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, heart disease, malaria, etc. The design and development of new orally active alpha-ketohydroxypyridine and other chelators are considered and compared with 14 other chelators which have been previously tested in man for the removal of iron, most of which, however, were later abandoned because of low efficacy or major toxicity. The design of new therapeutic protocols based on the pharmacological, toxicological and metabolic transformation properties of the chelating drugs is also being considered, within the context of maximising their efficacy and minimising their toxicity. Overall, oral deferiprone appears to be as effective as s.c. desferrioxamine in the removal of iron and aluminium in man and to have a similar but different toxicity profile from desferrioxamine in both animals and man. The low cost and oral activity of deferiprone will make it the drug of choice for the vast majority of patients, who are not currently being chelated either because they cannot afford the high cost of desferrioxamine therapy or are not complying or have toxic side effects with its s.c. administration.