<PAGE>

                                                                   Exhibit 10.01

                              CARDINAL HEALTH, INC.
                       NONQUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Dollars at Work*:

Grant Date:

Exercise Price:

Grant Vesting Date:

Grant Expiration Date:

Cardinal Health, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), has granted to
[employee name] ("Grantee"), an option (the "Option") to purchase [# of shares]
common shares, without par value, of the Company (the "Shares") for a total
purchase price of , (i.e., the equivalent of [stock price] for each full Share).
The Option has been granted under the Cardinal Health, Inc. Amended and Restated
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the "Plan"), and will include and be subject
to all provisions of the Plan, which are incorporated herein by reference, and
will be subject to the provisions of this agreement. In the event of a conflict
between the provisions of this Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the
provisions of the Plan shall control. Capitalized terms used in this agreement
which are not specifically defined will have the meanings ascribed to such terms
in the Plan. This Option shall be exercisable at any time on or after and prior
to

By:____________________
Robert D. Walter
Chairman and CEO

* Dollars at Work and total purchase price may vary due to rounding (up to the
dollar amount of one full Share).

<PAGE>

1. Method of Exercise and Payment of Price.

(a) Method of Exercise. At any time when the Option is exercisable under the
Plan and this agreement, some or all of the Option may be exercised from time to
time by written notice to the Company, or such other method of exercise as may
be specified by the Company, including without limitation, exercise by
electronic means on the web site of the Company's third-party option plan
administrator (the "Plan Administrator"), which will:

      (i) state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being
exercised; and

      (ii) if the Option is being exercised by anyone other than Grantee, if not
already provided, be accompanied by proof satisfactory to counsel for the
Company of the right of such person or persons to exercise the Option under the
Plan and all applicable laws and regulations.

(b) Payment of Price. The full exercise price for the portion of the Option
being exercised shall be paid to the Company as provided in the Plan.

2. Transferability. The Option shall be transferable (I) at Grantee's death, by
Grantee by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution, and (II) by
Grantee during Grantee's lifetime, without payment of consideration, to (a) the
spouse, former spouse, parents, stepparents, grandparents, parents-in-law,
siblings, siblings-in-law, children, stepchildren, children-in-law,
grandchildren, nieces or nephews of Grantee, or any other persons sharing
Grantee's household (other than tenants or employees) (collectively, "Family
Members"), (b) a trust or trusts for the primary benefit of Grantee or such
Family Members, (c) a foundation in which Grantee or such Family Members control
the management of assets, or (d) a partnership in which Grantee or such Family
Members are the majority or controlling partners; provided, however, that
subsequent transfers of the transferred Option shall be prohibited, except (X)
if the transferee is an individual, at the transferee's death by the transferee
by will or pursuant to the laws of descent and distribution, and (Y) without
payment of consideration to the individuals or entities listed in subparagraphs
II(a), (b) or (c), above, with respect to the original Grantee. The Human
Resources and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
(the "Committee") may, in its discretion, permit transfers to other persons and
entities as permitted by the Plan. Neither a transfer under a domestic relations
order in settlement of marital property rights nor a transfer to an entity in
which more than 50% of the voting interests are owned by Grantee or Family
Members in exchange for an interest in that entity shall be considered to be a
transfer for consideration. Within 10 days of any transfer, Grantee shall notify
the Compensation and Benefits department of the Company in writing of the
transfer. Following transfer, the Option shall continue to be subject to the
same terms and conditions as were applicable immediately prior to transfer and,
except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this

                                       2
<PAGE>

agreement, references to the original Grantee shall be deemed to refer to the
transferee. The events of termination of employment of Grantee provided in
paragraph 3 hereof shall continue to be applied with respect to the original
Grantee, following which the Option shall be exercisable by the transferee only
to the extent, and for the periods, specified in paragraph 3. The Company shall
have no obligation to notify any transferee of Grantee's termination of
employment with the Company for any reason. The conduct prohibited of Grantee in
paragraphs 5 and 6 hereof shall continue to be prohibited of Grantee following
transfer to the same extent as immediately prior to transfer and the Option (or
its economic value, as applicable) shall be subject to forfeiture by the
transferee and recoupment from Grantee to the same extent as would have been the
case of Grantee had the Option not been transferred. Grantee shall remain
subject to the recoupment provisions of paragraphs 5 and 6 of this agreement and
tax withholding provisions of Section 13(d) of the Plan following transfer of
the Option.

3. Termination of Relationship.

(a) Termination by Death. If Grantee's employment by the Company and its
subsidiaries (collectively, the "Cardinal Group") terminates by reason of death,
then, unless otherwise determined by the Committee within 60 days of such death,
any unvested portion of the Option shall vest upon and become exercisable in
full from and after the 60th day after such death. The Option, to the extent
vested, may thereafter be exercised by any transferee of Grantee, if applicable,
or by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of Grantee under
the will of Grantee for a period of one year (or such other period as the
Committee may specify at or after grant or death) from the date of death or
until the Grant Expiration Date, whichever period is shorter.

(b) Termination by Reason of Retirement or Disability. If Grantee's employment
by the Cardinal Group terminates by reason of retirement or disability (each as
defined in the Plan) prior to the Grant Vesting Date, then, unless otherwise
determined by the Committee within 60 days of such retirement or disability, a
Ratable Portion of the Option shall vest upon and become exercisable in full
from and after the later of (x) the 60th day after such termination of
employment and (y) the Grant Vesting Date. Such Ratable Portion shall be an
amount equal to the number of Shares the subject of the Option, multiplied by a
fraction the numerator of which shall be the number of days from the Grant Date
through the date of such termination, and the denominator of which shall be the
number of days from the Grant Date through the Grant Vesting Date. The Option,
to the extent vested, may be exercised after the Grant Vesting Date by Grantee
(or any transferee, if applicable) until the earlier of the fifth anniversary of
the date of such retirement or disability or the Grant Expiration Date (the
"Exercise Period"). If Grantee has at least 15 years of service with the
Cardinal Group at the time of retirement, the Option may be exercised after the
Grant Vesting Date by Grantee (or any transferee, if applicable) until the
Grant Expiration Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Grantee dies after
retirement or disability but before the expiration of the Exercise Period,
unless otherwise determined by the Committee within 60 days of such death, the
Ratable Portion of the Option shall vest upon the 60th day after such death, and
the Option may be

                                       3
<PAGE>
exercised by any transferee of the Option, if applicable, or by the legal
representative of the estate or by the legatee of Grantee under the will of
Grantee from and after the 60th day after such death, for a period of one year
(or such other period as the Committee may specify at or after grant or death)
from the date of death or until the expiration of the Exercise Period, whichever
period is shorter.

(c) Other Termination of Employment. If Grantee's employment by the Cardinal
Group terminates for any reason other than death, retirement or disability
(subject to Section 10 of the Plan regarding acceleration of the vesting of the
Option upon a Change of Control), any unexercised portion of the Option which
has not vested on such date of termination will automatically terminate on the
date of such termination. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee at or
after grant or termination, Grantee (or any transferee, if applicable) will have
90 days (or such other period as the Committee may specify at or after grant or
termination) from the date of termination or until the Grant Expiration Date,
whichever period is shorter, to exercise any portion of the Option that is then
vested and exercisable on the date of termination; provided, however, that if
the termination was for Cause, as determined by the Committee, the Option may be
immediately canceled by the Committee (whether then held by Grantee or any
transferee).

4. Restrictions on Exercise. The Option is subject to all restrictions in this
agreement and/or in the Plan. As a condition of any exercise of the Option, the
Company may require Grantee or his or her transferee or successor to make any
representation and warranty to comply with any applicable law or regulation or
to confirm any factual matters (including Grantee's compliance with the terms of
paragraphs 5 and 6 of this agreement or any employment or severance agreement
between any member of the Cardinal Group and Grantee) reasonably requested by
the Company.

5. Triggering Conduct/Competitor Triggering Conduct. As used in this agreement,
"Triggering Conduct" shall include disclosing or using in any capacity other
than as necessary in the performance of duties assigned by the Cardinal Group
any confidential information, trade secrets or other business sensitive
information or material concerning the Cardinal Group; violation of Company
policies, including conduct which would constitute a breach of any of the
Certificates of Compliance with Company Policies and/or the Certificates of
Compliance with Company Business Ethics Policies signed by Grantee; directly or
indirectly employing, contacting concerning employment, or participating in any
way in the recruitment for employment of (whether as an employee, officer,
director, agent, consultant or independent contractor), any person who was or is
an employee, representative, officer or director of the Cardinal Group at any
time within the 12 months prior to the termination of Grantee's employment with
the Cardinal Group; any action by Grantee and/or his or her representatives that
either does or could reasonably be expected to undermine, diminish or otherwise
damage the relationship between the Cardinal Group and any of its customers,
potential customers, vendors and/or suppliers that were known to Grantee; and
breaching any provision of any employment or severance agreement with a member
of the Cardinal Group. As used in this agreement, "Competitor Triggering
Conduct" shall include, either during Grantee's employment or

                                       4
<PAGE>

within one year following Grantee's termination of employment with the Cardinal
Group, accepting employment with or serving as a consultant or advisor or in any
other capacity to an entity that is in competition with the business conducted
by any member of the Cardinal Group (a "Competitor"), including, but not limited
to, employment or another business relationship with any Competitor if Grantee
has been introduced to trade secrets, confidential information or business
sensitive information during Grantee's employment with the Cardinal Group and
such information would aid the Competitor because the threat of disclosure of
such information is so great that, for purposes of this agreement, it must be
assumed that such disclosure would occur.

6. Special Forfeiture/Repayment Rules. For so long as Grantee continues as an
employee with the Cardinal Group and for three years following Grantee's
termination of employment with the Cardinal Group regardless of the reason,
Grantee agrees not to engage in Triggering Conduct. If Grantee engages in
Triggering Conduct during the time period set forth in the preceding sentence or
in Competitor Triggering Conduct during the time period referenced in the
definition of "Competitor Triggering Conduct" set forth in paragraph 5 above,
then:

(a) the Option (or any part thereof that has not been exercised) shall
immediately and automatically terminate, be forfeited, and shall cease to be
exercisable at any time; and

(b) Grantee shall, within 30 days following written notice from the Company, pay
the Company an amount equal to the gross option gain realized or obtained by
Grantee or any transferee resulting from the exercise of such Option, measured
at the date of exercise (i.e., the difference between the market value of the
Shares underlying the Option on the exercise date and the exercise price paid
for such Shares underlying the Option), with respect to any portion of the
Option that has already been exercised at any time within three years prior to
the Triggering Conduct (the "Look-Back Period"), less $1.00. If Grantee engages
only in Competitor Triggering Conduct, then the Look-Back Period shall be
shortened to exclude any period more than one year prior to Grantee's
termination of employment with the Cardinal Group, but including any period
between the time of Grantee's termination and engagement in Competitor
Triggering Conduct. Grantee may be released from Grantee's obligations under
this paragraph 6 if and only if the Committee (or its duly appointed designee)
determines, in writing and in its sole discretion, that such action is in the
best interests of the Company. Nothing in this paragraph 6 constitutes a
so-called "noncompete" covenant. This paragraph 6 does, however, prohibit
certain conduct while Grantee is associated with the Cardinal Group and
thereafter and does provide for the forfeiture or repayment of the benefits
granted by this agreement under certain circumstances, including, but not
limited to, Grantee's acceptance of employment with a Competitor. Grantee agrees
to provide the Company with at least 10 days written notice prior to directly or
indirectly accepting employment with or serving as a consultant or advisor or in
any other capacity to a Competitor, and further agrees to inform any such new
employer, before accepting employment, of the terms of this paragraph 6 and
Grantee's continuing obligations contained herein. No provisions of this
agreement shall diminish, negate or otherwise impact any separate

                                       5
<PAGE>

noncompete or other agreement to which Grantee may be a party, including, but
not limited to, any of the Certificates of Compliance with Company Policies
and/or the Certificates of Compliance with Company Business Ethics Policies;
provided, however, that to the extent that any provisions contained in any other
agreement are inconsistent in any manner with the restrictions and covenants of
Grantee contained in this agreement, the provisions of this agreement shall take
precedence and such other inconsistent provisions shall be null and void.
Grantee acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in this
agreement are being made for the benefit of the Company in consideration of
Grantee's receipt of the Option, in consideration of employment, in
consideration of exposing Grantee to the Company's business operations and
confidential information, and for other good and valuable consideration, the
adequacy of which consideration is hereby expressly confirmed. Grantee further
acknowledges that the receipt of the Option and execution of this agreement are
voluntary actions on the part of Grantee and that the Company is unwilling to
provide the Option to Grantee without including the restrictions and covenants
of Grantee contained in this agreement. Further, the parties agree and
acknowledge that the provisions contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 are ancillary
to, or part of, an otherwise enforceable agreement at the time the agreement is
made.

7. Right of Set-Off. By accepting this Option, Grantee consents to a deduction
from, and set-off against, any amounts owed to Grantee by any member of the
Cardinal Group from time to time (including, but not limited to, amounts owed to
Grantee as wages, severance payments or other fringe benefits) to the extent of
the amounts owed to the Cardinal Group by Grantee under this agreement.

8. Governing Law/Venue. This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the
State of Ohio, without regard to principles of conflicts of law, except to the
extent superceded by the laws of the United States of America. The parties agree
and acknowledge that the laws of the State of Ohio bear a substantial
relationship to the parties and/or this agreement and that the Option and
benefits granted herein would not be granted without the governance of this
agreement by the laws of the State of Ohio. In addition, all legal actions or
proceedings relating to this agreement shall be brought in state or federal
courts located in Franklin County, Ohio and the parties executing this agreement
hereby consent to the personal jurisdiction of such courts. Grantee acknowledges
that the covenants contained in paragraphs 5 and 6 of this agreement are
reasonable in nature, are fundamental for the protection of the Company's
legitimate business and proprietary interests, and do not adversely affect
Grantee's ability to earn a living in any capacity that does not violate such
covenants. The parties further agree that in the event of any violation by
Grantee of any such covenants, the Company will suffer immediate and irreparable
injury for which there is no adequate remedy at law. In the event of any
violation or attempted violations of the restrictions and covenants of Grantee
contained in this agreement, the Cardinal Group shall be entitled to specific
performance and injunctive relief or other equitable relief, including the
issuance ex parte of a temporary restraining order, without any showing of
irreparable harm or damage, such irreparable harm being acknowledged and
admitted by Grantee, and Grantee hereby waives any

                                       6
<PAGE>

requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with such
remedy, without prejudice to the rights and remedies afforded the Cardinal Group
hereunder or by law. In the event that it becomes necessary for the Cardinal
Group to institute legal proceedings under this agreement, Grantee shall be
responsible to the Company for all costs and reasonable legal fees incurred by
the Company with regard to such proceedings. Any provision of this agreement
which is determined by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or
unenforceable should be construed or limited in a manner that is valid and
enforceable and that comes closest to the business objectives intended by such
provision, without invalidating or rendering unenforceable the remaining
provisions of this agreement.

9. Action by the Committee. The parties agree that the interpretation of this
agreement shall rest exclusively and completely within the sole discretion of
the Committee. The parties agree to be bound by the decisions of the Committee
with regard to the interpretation of this agreement and with regard to any and
all matters set forth in this agreement. The Committee may delegate its
functions under this agreement to an officer of the Cardinal Group designated by
the Committee (hereinafter the "designee"). In fulfilling its responsibilities
hereunder, the Committee or its designee may rely upon documents, written
statements of the parties or such other material as the Committee or its
designee deems appropriate. The parties agree that there is no right to be heard
or to appear before the Committee or its designee and that any decision of the
Committee or its designee relating to this agreement, including without
limitation whether particular conduct constitutes Triggering Conduct or
Competitor Triggering Conduct, shall be final and binding unless such decision
is arbitrary and capricious.

10. Prompt Acceptance of Agreement. The Option grant evidenced by this agreement
shall, at the discretion of the Committee, be forfeited if this agreement is not
executed by Grantee and returned to the Company within 90 days of the Grant Date
set forth on the first page of this agreement.

11. Electronic Delivery and Consent to Electronic Participation. The Company
may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the
Option grant under and participation in the Plan or future options that may be
granted under the Plan by electronic means. Grantee hereby consents to receive
such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an
on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or
another third party designated by the Company, including the acceptance of
option grants and the execution of option agreements through electronic
signature.

12. Notices. All notices, requests, consents and other communications required
or provided under this agreement to be delivered by Grantee to the Company will
be in writing and will be deemed sufficient if delivered by hand, facsimile,
nationally recognized overnight courier, or certified or registered mail, return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, and will be effective upon delivery to the
Company at the address set forth below:

                                       7
<PAGE>

            Cardinal Health, Inc.
            7000 Cardinal Place
            Dublin, Ohio 43017
            Attention: Chief Legal Officer
            Facsimile: (614) 757-6948

All notices, requests, consents and other communications required or provided
under this agreement to be delivered by the Company to Grantee may be delivered
by e-mail or in writing and will be deemed sufficient if delivered by e-mail,
hand, facsimile, nationally recognized overnight courier, or certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, and will be
effective upon delivery to the Grantee.

                                       8
<PAGE>

                             ACCEPTANCE OF AGREEMENT

Grantee hereby: (a) acknowledges receiving a copy of the Plan, which has either
been previously delivered or is provided with this agreement, and represents
that he or she is familiar with and understands all provisions of the Plan and
this agreement; and (b) voluntarily and knowingly accepts this agreement and the
Option granted to him or her under this agreement subject to all provisions of
the Plan and this agreement, including the provisions in the agreement regarding
"Triggering Conduct/Competitor Triggering Conduct" and "Special
Forfeiture/Repayment Rules" set forth in paragraphs 5 and 6 above. Grantee
further acknowledges receiving a copy of the Company's most recent Annual Report
on Form 10-K and other communications routinely distributed to the Company's
shareholders and a copy of the Plan Description dated [date of Plan Description]
pertaining to the Plan.

                                               _________________________________
                                               Signature

                                               _________________________________
                                               Print Name

                                               _________________________________
                                               Grantee's Social Security Number

                                               _________________________________
                                               Date

                                       9