The invention provides a compressed tablet including a volatile active agent, preferably menthol, within a spray-dried granule further comprising a starch carrier and, optionally, a polyol granulating agent. The compressed tablet can be a two layer tablet comprising an effervescent layer and a non-effervescent layer with the spray-dried granule incorporated into the effervescent layer. The tablets herein are useful for providing decongestant benefits. The present invention further relates to the use of starch for increasing the rate of release of menthol from a compressed tablet. The use of starch as a carrier for the volatile active agent has been found to not only improve its rate of release from the tablet compared to other carriers, such as gum arabic, or compared to not using a carrier at all, but also to impart improved smoothness to the tablet when sucked.
