The invention relates to an oral extended release solid pharmaceutical composition in the form of spheroids comprised of a therapeutically effective amount of venlafaxine hydrochloride, about 10 to 70% of low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose or a mixture thereof and at least one more pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. These spheroids are coated with a mixture of pH independent hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymeric release retardant. The invention further relates to process for preparation of venlafaxine hydrochloride extended release formulation which is suitable for scale up and commercial level manufacturing.
