The purpose of this study was to develop mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) loaded with a poorly water-soluble drug, intended to be orally administered, able to improve the dissolution rate and enhance the drug loading capacity. Spherical MSNs were synthesized using an organic template method in an oil/water phase, and large pore diameter MSNs were functionalized with aminopropyl groups through postsynthesis. MSNs as well as the resulting functionalized MSNs were investigated as matrices for loading and release of the model drug telmisartan (TEL). The effects of different pore sizes and surface chemical groups on TEL uptake and release were systematically studied using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and HPLC. The total pore volume and the pore diameter of MSNs were the two main factors limiting the maximum drug load capacity. MSNs allow a very high drug loading of about 60% in weight. The release rate of TEL from MSNs with a pore diameter of 12.9 nm was found to be effectively increased and the release rate of TEL from the functionalized MSNs was effectively controlled compared with that from the unmodified MSNs. We believe that the present study will help in the design of oral drug delivery systems for the dissolution enhancement and/or sustained release of poorly water-soluble drugs.