A complex of glucosamine having a purity of at least about 99 wt. % and a
maximum halide content of about 0.01 wt. %, and a therapeutic drug having
a pK.sub.a of less than 7. Preferably, the complex is stabilized by
coating it with at least one pharmaceutically acceptable polymer
comprising a water-soluble, water-immiscible and/or water-swellable
homopolymer and/or copolymer. Suitable polymers include
carboxypolymethylene homopolymers and copolymers; polyethylene glycol
homopolymers and copolymers, povidone homopolymers and copolymers;
polyacrylic acid homopolymers and copolymers; polyacrylamide homopolymers
and copolymers; polysaccharides; and mixtures of two or more of the
foregoing polymers. The resultant coated complex will be stable upon
exposure to ambient temperature and/or the atmosphere. Suitable
therapeutic drugs fall into the following classes: .alpha.- and
.beta.-Adrenergic Agonists; Narcotic and Non-Narcotic Analgesics;
Anorexics; Antiallergics; Antianginals; Antiarrhythmics; Antiasthmatics;
Antibiotics; Anticoagulants; Anticonvulsants; Antidepressants;
Antidiabetics; Antihistaminics; Antihypertensives; Nonsteroidal
Anti-Inflammatories; Antimigraines; Antineoplastics; Antiparkinsonians;
Antipsychotics; Antipyretics; Antispasmodics; Antithrombotics;
Antiulceratives; Anxiolytics; Decongestants; Diuretics;
Hepatoprotectants; Sedatives; and Vasodilators.