A water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer is loaded with a biologically active substance or substance convertible into a biologically active substance in vivo by preparing and grinding a mixture of a said substance with a water-swellable, water-insoluble polymer in a weight ratio of the said substance:polymer of from 1:0.1 to 1:100. The thus-loaded polymer is useful as a pharmaceutical composition.

A pharmaceutical granule comprising a core of active pharmaceutical agent and a coating of a polymer/microcrystalline cellulose is provided. These granules permit superior tableting of pharmaceutical agents whose physical properties in granule form render them unsuitable for conventional tableting.

A granular composition containing 2-(4-isobutylphenyl)propionic acid (ibuprofen) as an active anti-inflammatory pharmaceutical ingredient as a major component, together with carboxymethylcellulose, a lubricant and water as minor components, is disclosed. Particles of ibuprofen and carboxymethylcellulose are both fluidized and coated with an aqueous disperson of a starch binder. After being dried to a moisture level of about 1-5% and blended with a lubricant and additional carboxymethylcellulose, the resulting granules can be directly molded into a pharmaceutically acceptable tablet having high hardness, short disintegration time and fast dissolution rate.

An uncoated compressed tablet which is used for the preparation of an orally applicable aqueous suspension or solution of a pharmaceutically active substance contains a mixture of the pharmaceutically active substance, a swelling disintegrant and an effervescent system. The weight ratio of the disintegrant to the effervescent system is from 0.1:1 to 4:1.

A controlled release potassium chloride tablet is disclosed which is comprised of potassium chloride crystals having a mesh size of about 30 to about 50 mesh which are coated with a coating material comprised of ethylcellulose and hydroxypropylcellulose. The coated crystals form micro pellets which then can be compressed into tablets. The tablets disintegrate rapidly in an aqueous environment thus assuring a more uniform dissolution of the active component as compared with other types of controlled release potassium chloride dosage formulations. The distribution of the potassium chloride micro pellets over a wide surface area in the gastrointestinal mucosa aids in reducing the risk of gastrointestinal lesions. The formation of the coated micro pellets which disperse quickly upon contact with aqueous environment allow for the repeated chronic oral administration of a relatively large dose of potassium chloride (20 mEq).