Alginic acid is a hydrophilic , colloidal polysaccharide obtained from cell wall of seaweed or brown algae and has a broad range of applications. Alginlc acid becomes alginate gel bead due to its cation-induced gelation. Dried alginate beads can be reswollen according to environmental pH. The purpose of this paper is to explore the possible applicability of alginate beads as an oral controlled release system of ibuprofen. In this experiment ibuprofen was incorporated in alginate beads and alginate beads were treated with various methods. Ibuprofen release from alginate beads in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) was laster than in distilled water and dilute HCl. The release of ibuprofen was more sustained in bead than simple mixture and coprecipitate of ibuprofen and sodium alginate. The dissolution rate of ibuprofen was decreased in using of bead that hardened with formaldehyde. The dissolution rate of the drug from the bead was the fastest in 12 hour dried beads, 1.5%-sodium alginate concentration and 1%-calcium chloride concentration. Sodium alginate bead can be used as a sustaind release drug delivery system of water-insoluble drugs.