An inexpensive and simple method was adopted for the preparation of chitosan beads, crosslinked with glutaraldehyde (GA), for the controlled release of diclofenac sodium (DS). The beads were prepared by varying the experimental conditions such as pH, temperature, and extent of crosslinking. The absence of any chemical interaction among drug, polymer, and the crosslinking agent was confirmed by FTIR and thermal analysis. The beads were characterized by microscopy, which indicated that the particles were in the size range of 500-700 mu m and SEM studies revealed smooth surface and spherical shape of beads. The beads produced at higher temperature and extended exposure to GA exhibited lower drug content, whereas increased drug loading resulted in enhanced drug release. (C) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 103: 211-217, 2007