Drug release experiments were performed based on pH-sensitive swelling behaviors of polymethacrylic acid. 5-Fluorouracil as a nonionic model drug revealed release patterns depending solely on pH-dependent swelling kinetics of polymethacrylic acid. In contrast, release of propranolol hydrochloride as a cationic model drug was significantly affected by ionic drug-polymer interaction as well as the swelling kinetics. Accordingly, a zero-order release pattern was obtained at pH 7, which was distinguished from the general matrix type drug release pattern.