Chromatographic retention and peak shapes for a group of five 2-phenylethylamine drugs in reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography have been examined with a series of eluents containing various amines as part of the buffer system. An ODS-silica column was used with aqueous methanolic eluents containing orthophosphoric acid and sodium hydroxide to which the appropriatre amines were added. Eleven eluents containing different amines have been examined along with two control eluents containing only inorganic buffer components. Large improvements in peak shape are demonstrated by the addition of some amines. The importance of selecting amines of suitable hydrophobic character and molecular geometry is discussed.