The invention provides a compressed tablet including a volatile active agent,preferably menthol, within a spray-driedgranule further comprising a starch carrier and, optionally, a polyolgranulating agent. The compressed tablet can be a twolayer tablet comprising an effervescent layer and a non-effervescent layerwith the spray-dried granule incorporated into theeffervescent layer. The tablets herein are useful for providing decongestantbenefits. The present invention further relates to the use ofstarch for increasing the rate of release of menthol from a compressed tablet.The use of starch as a carrier for the volatile activeagent has been found to not only improve its rate of release from the tabletcompared to other carriers, such as gum arabic, orcompared to not using a carrier at all, but also to impart improved smoothnessto the tablet when sucked.
