The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising a.beta. (1-3) .beta. (1-4) glucan and a pharmaceutically active agent or abotanical extract. A method to extract and purify cereal .beta.-glucan is alsodescribed. The high purity of the cereal .beta.-glucan obtained according tothe present invention allows for the preparation of clear, colourless viscousliquid preparations. These liquid preparations are stable to gelling effectswhen kept at ambient temperatures and low ash concentrations, and can be usedto prepare the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention.
