The inhibition performance of mebendazole, a drug, on mild steel in molar hydrochloric acid solution was studied by weight loss and electrochemical methods. The maximum inhibition efficiency 96.2% was observed in presence of 2.54 x 10(-4) M inhibitor. Polarization measurements showed that the inhibitor is mixed type. Data obtained from EIS studies were analyzed to model inhibition process through appropriate equivalent circuit models. The results obtained from the different methods are in good agreement. The various thermodynamic parameters of dissolution and adsorption processes were evaluated in order to elaborate adsorption mechanism. Adsorption of inhibitor obeyed Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.