Abstract: A pharmaceutical composition which comprises particles of a finely divided pharmaceutically acceptable water soluble diluent coated with microcrystalline particles of nifedipine, the majority of which have a particle size of 100 micrometers or less in the presence of polyvinyl-pyrrolidone, the polyvinylpyrrolidone being present in an amount of from 10 to 90% by weight based on the weight of the nifedipine. The incorporation of polyvinylpyrrolidone in an amount of less than the amount of nifedipine significantly slows the dissolution of nifedipine from the finished solid dosage form.