This study attempted to develop sustained release intragastric 'floating' tablets based on chitosan. Two kinds of chitosan with different degrees of deacetylation (chitosan H and L) were used, and two types of preparations (types A and B) were examined. Type A preparations, i.e. directly compressed tablets using a mixture of sodium hydrogen carbonate and citric acid, were buoyant immediately and gave sustained release of prednisolone (as model drug) in acidic dissolution fluid. Type B preparations, i.e. preparations composed of a directly compressed layer and a chitosan H membrane layer enclosing carbon dioxide (a foamy membrane layer), quickly developed buoyancy and also provided sustained release of drug. The drug release rate from the preparation using chitosan L was slower than that from the preparation using chitosan H. In an absorption study using beagle dogs, sustained drug absorption from Type B preparations was obtained.