Mucoadhesive patches for delivery of cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) were prepared using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) and chitosan. Swelling and bioadhesive characteristics were determined for both plain and medicated patches. The results showed a remarkable increase in radial swelling (S(D)) after addition of the water-soluble drug (CPC) to the plain formulae. A decrease in the residence time was observed for PVA and chitosan-containing formulae. Higher drug release was obtained from PVA patches compared to HEC ones, while both are non-ionic polymers. A considerable drop in release was observed for chitosan formulae after the addition of water-soluble additives, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and gelatin. Ageing was done on PVA formulae; the results showed there was no influence on the chemical stability of CPC, as reflected from the drug content data. Physical characteristics of the studied patches showed an increase in the residence time with storage accompanied with a decrease in drug release. This may be due to changes in the crystal habit of the drug as well as to slight agglomeration of the polymer particles.