Pharmaceutical composition

A pharmaceutical composition for oral administration in solid oral dosage form comprising an inclusion complex of a non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug selected from the group consisting of diclofenac, indomethacin, naproxen, ibuprofen. mefenamic acid, piroxicam, tenoxicam, lornoxicam, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof and a cyclodextrin, the mass ratio of the non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug to cyclodextrin in the inclusion complex being between 1:0.85 and 1:5 inclusive, and a physiologically acceptable alkali agent selected from the group consisting of alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates, bicarbonates and phosphates, and water soluble amines, in an amount equivalent to between 15 and 30 molar equivalents inclusive of the non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drug, the alkali agent being present in sufficient amount to form an alkaline diffusion layer around the composition in the gastrointestinal tract and the composition being free from any added acid agent which will form an acid-base couple with the alkali agent so as to render the alkali agent incapable of forming said alkaline diffusion layer and wherein said dosage form is either a tablet or a capsule.