The objective of this investigation was to develop a gastro-retentive(GR) dosage form of gabapentin and was to evaluate of its dissolution characteristics. GR tablet consists of expandable core tablet matrix and semi-permeable membrane coating. Poloxamer 407 and sodium bicarbonate were used to prepare the core matrix. Polyvinly acetate dispersion (Kollicoat $SR30D^{(R)}$) and polyvinyl alcohol-polyethylene glycol copolymer ((Kollicoat $IR^{(R)}$)) were employed to form the semi-permeable membrane. The GR tablets significantly expanded up to fivefold in simulated gastrointestinal fluids with no apparent damage of the coating membrane over 12 hours. Also, the swelling rate was controllable with the amount of sodium bicarbonate. The drug release was observed to be substantially sustained based on coating level. The release rate of gabapentin from the GR tablet was gradually slowed down as the coasting amount was increased. The gabapentin GR tablet with 8% coating level showed a pseudo-zero order release kinetics over 12 hours. These results suggest that this swellable GR tablet system having semi-permeable membrane coating can be applicable for hydrophilic drug substances like gabapentin.