A multi-purpose pharmaceutical tablet which can either be readily swallowed or dissolved in water to give a dispersion, comprising a tetracycline, microcrystalline cellulose or microfine cellulose, low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose and a thickening agent, preferably hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, and optionally other conventional adjuvants. The tablet may be easily swallowed as such, and when immersed in water, it affords a very fine dispersion within 30-60 seconds. The tablet may be prepared by direct compression, or by a wet granulation process in which a granulate is used which contains tetracycline and any substantial amount of a wet binding substance.