The present invention is directed to a controlled release formulation in tablet form comprising a pharmaceutically effective amount of an erythromycin derivative and a lubricating effective amount of a lubricant in the absence of material selected from the group consisting of alginic acid or salts thereof or hydrophilic sustained release polymers in amounts effective to retard the release of the erythromycin derivatives in the pharmaceutical composition. It is also directed to a method for facilitating the release of erythromycin derivative from a pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a lubricating effective amount of a lubricant said method comprising adding to said composition an release promoter in tablet disintegrating effective amounts to facilitate the release of the erythromycin derivative from the tablet.
