Abstract: Controlled release oral pharmaceutical preparations are provided which comprise a therapeutically effective amount of tiagabine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof dispersed in a rate controlling polymeric matrix comprising at least one rate controlling polymer. The preparation can be formulated into oral dosage forms such as tablets or multiparticulates which provide therapeutically effective plasma levels of tiagabine for a period of at least 12 hours, preferably 24 hours or more. The preparation can provide tiagabine mean plasma concentrations equal to or greater than 50% of the maximum plasma concentration for at least 10 hours, preferably 14 hours, most preferably 16 hours or more.