To develop oral controlled release dosage forms, ionic interactions between polymers and drugs were evaluated. Hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and carboxymethylene were used as model nonionic and ionic polymers, respectively. 5-fluorouracil, propranolol-HCl and sodium salicylate were selected as model nonionic, cationic and anionic, respectively. Polymer-drug mixtures were compressed into tablets and drug release kinetics from these tablets were determined. Drug release from the tablets made of the nonionic polymer was not affected by the charge of drugs, rather, was regulated by the solubility of drugs in different pH releasing media. However, drug release kinetics were significantly affected when drug-polymer ionic interactions exist. Enhanced drug release was observed from anionic drug-anionic polymer tablets due to ionic repulsion, whereas drug release was retarded in cationic drug-anionic polymer tablets owing to ionic attractive force. Therefore, the results suggested that the polymer-drug interactions are important factors in designing controlled release dosage forms.