Process for making solid dose forms containing bismuth

A process for making a bismuth-containing solid dose form composition, comprising the steps of:

• (a) mixing together in a mixer under high shear ingredients comprising:
• carbonate or bicarbonate salt;
• disintegrating agent;
• bismuth subsalicylate;
• and anionic surfactant or nonionic surfactant;
• (b) agglomerating by mixing the product of (a) in a mixer under high shear with binder;
• (c) drying the product of (b) to less than about 10% moisture, by weight of the composition;
• and
• (d) forming the product of (c) into a solid dose form selected from the group consisting of a swallowable tablet, a swallowable capsule and a chewable tablet shaped like a capsule, which comprises, by weight of the composition:
• (1) from about 2% to about 25% of carbonate or bicarbonate salt;
• (2) from about 0.5% to about 15% of disintegrating agent;
• (3) from about 5% to about 70% of bismuth subsalicylate;
• and
• (4) from about 0.1% to about 3% of anionic or nonionic surfactant.