A rapidly disintegrating, orally administered tablet or compressed dosage form, comprising ethylcellulose (EC) as a directly compressible binder which enhances tablet robustness as manifested by improved strength, lower friability, lower hygroscopicity and yet, hydrophobic nature notwithstanding, does not retard disintegration, but shortens disintegration time or is disintegration time neutral when co-formulated with disintegrants and other water-soluble excipients such as sugar alcohols.