Abstract: Provided herein are pharmaceutical dosage forms for delivering peptide therapeutics to a mucosal surface. The pharmaceutical dosage forms comprise a mucoadhesive layer; a peptide loading layer; and a water impermeable layer, wherein the peptide loading layer is between the mucoadhesive layer and the water impermeable layer, such that the water impermeable layer facilitates unidirectional movement of the encapsulated peptide through the mucoadhesive layer and to the target mucosal surface. The pharmaceutical dosage form is suitable for delivery of the encapsulated peptide therapeutic to buccal mucosa; sublingual mucosa; palate mucosa; and tongue mucosa. The peptide therapeutic may be an insulin; an insulin derivative; an insulin analog; a pre-insulin; a pro-drug of insulin; a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1); a GLP-1 analog; a pre- GLP-1; a pro-drug of GLP-1; or a combination thereof and may be suitable for the treatment of diabetes.