Rapid melt tablets that dissolve and release an active component in the oral cavity are comprised of a pharmaceutical active ingredient such as dextromethorphan complexed with a resin that is effective in taste-masking the otherwise bitter taste of the active making it convenient for oral administration. The drug/resin-complexed particles can be coated with water swellable or water insoluble polymers to impart controlled release properties to the active ingredient. A rapid melt tablet also comprises diluents, sweeteners, flavors, disintegrants and other excipients to form granules that can be compressed into tablets at low pressure without the need for a binding agent.