Laboratory studies show that recovery after brain injury can be influenced by drugs that affect certain central neurotransmitters. The effects of these drugs may be either beneficial or harmful. Although issues related to drug dose, the timing of interventions relative to the deficit, and the nature of concomitant experience or training may be critical, preliminary clinical studies suggest that similar drug effects may occur in humans recovering from stroke. Recognition of these data is important because many of the drugs that may impair recovery are commonly prescribed to stroke patients for the treatment of coincident medical conditions and should be avoided if possible. Pharmacotherapy to enhance recovery may be possible in the future.