The matrix tablet containing sodium alginate and $CaHPO_4$ can release drugs in a controlled fashion from hydrogel with gelling and swelling due to their interaction as water penetrates the matrices of the tablet. The purpose of this study was to evaluate release characteristics of the matrix tablet varying the amount of sodium alginate, $CaHPO_4$ and other excipients such as chitosan, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and $Eudragit^{circledR}$ RS100 in the simulated gastric and intestinal fluid. The practically soluble ibuprofen was used as a model drug. The release profiles of matrix tablet in the gastric fluid as a function of sodium alginate/$CaHPO_4$ ratio was not pronounced because of low solubility of drug and stability of alginate matrices. However, release rate of drug from the matrix tablet in the intestinal fluid was largely changed when sodium alginate/$CaHPO_4$ ratio was increased, suggesting that the ratio of sodium alginate/$CaHPO_4$ was an important factor to control the gelling and swelling of the matrix tablet. The incorporation of other excipients into the matrix tablet also influenced the release rate of drug. The chitosan and HPMC decreased the release rate of drug. No release of drug was occurred when $Eudragit^{circledR}$ RS100 was added into the tablet. The retarded release of matrix tablet when excipients were added resulted from the hindrance of swelling and gelling of the matrix tablet containing sodium alginate and $CaHPO_4$. The hardness and bulk density of the matrix tablet was not correlated with release rate of drug in the study. From these findings, the ratio of sodium alginate and $CaHPO_4$ in the matrix tablet in addition to incorporation of excipients could be very important to control the release rate of drug in dosage form design.