The interpolymer complexes composed of PVA and PAA were prepared by template polymerization of acrylic acid in the presence of PVA with different molecular weights and degrees of saponification. The carbonyl absorption band of the PAA in the PAA/PVA interpolymer complexes was shifted to a tower wavenumber due to H-bonding between the carboxyl group of PAA and the hydroxyl group of PVA. The swelling ratio and the degree of dissolution of the PVA/PAA interpolymer complexes were dependent on the pH of the medium, the molecular weight, and the degree of saponification of the PVA. The release rate of a model drug, lidocaine, from the complexes decreased with increasing degree of saponification of the PVA due to the lower swelling degree of the complex. The adhesive force of the PVA/PAA interpolymer complexes with a plastic plate (poly propylene) was stronger than that of the commercial Carbopol 971P. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.