The aim of this work was the design mucoadhesive bilayered buccal tablets of Tizanidine Hydrochloride (TZD HCl), using mucoadhesive polymers Carbopol 934(CP), HPMC K4M, HPMC K15M and Sodium carboxymethylcellulose along with ethyl cellulose as an impermeable backing layer. Preformulation studies of TZD HCl like compatibility studies with polymers, using FTIR and DSC were carried out. The bilayered buccal tablets were evaluated for weight variation, thickness, hardness, friability, surface pH, mucoadhesive strength, mucoadhesive time, swelling index, in vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation. FTIR and DSC found to be compatible with selected polymers. Bilayered buccal tablets containing CP and HPMC K4M in the ratio 1:1 (BT1) had the maximum percentage of in vitro drug release in 6 hours. The swelling index of the tablets increased with increasing amounts of CP. The optimized formulation (BT1) follows non-Fickian release mechanism. © 2010 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.