A composition designed for application to a mucosa comprises a tonicity-adjusting agent, a hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose and a liquid diluent, wherein the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose has a DS of from 1.6 to 2.7 and an MS of from 0.40 to 1.30, wherein DS is the degree of substitution of methoxyl groups and MS is the molar substitution of hydroxyalkoxyl groups, and at least 55 weight percent of the liquid diluent is water. When the composition comprises additionally a physiologically active agent, the composition may be used for transmucosal administration of the physiologically active agent to an individual.
