An
extended release pharmaceutical compressed composition and
dosage form comprising poorly
water soluble macrolide antibiotic, surfactant and non-lipophilic, non-polymeric
excipient is disclosed. The composition releases the macrolide antibiotic over an extended period of time, generally at least over 12 hours, even in the absence of a release rate-retarding
polymer, release rate-retarding
coating or release rate-retarding lipophilic
excipient. The composition is suitable for once daily or twice daily
oral administration for the treatment of many different types of bacterial infections. One embodiment of the compressed composition includes a
drug-containing granular composition and a binding composition, wherein the two are mixed together and then compressed into a tablet or
pill. The surfactant is in admixture with or coated onto the macrolide antibiotic, and it can be included in the granular composition and / or the binding composition. The non-polymeric, non-lipophilic
excipient is included in the granular composition and / or the binding composition.