A method of forming a tablet includes the steps of pre-blending an active pharmaceutical ingredient susceptible to tackiness and a blending additive with a first mixing effort to form a pre-blend mixture, wherein the first mixing effort and a second mixing effort, resulting from mixing at least one excipient with the pre-blend mixture, form a blend suitable for direct compression and compressing the blend to form the tablet. One way of achieving the first mixing effort is to pre-blend for an extended period of time. The method allows for directly compressing the blend without the need for a granulation step or roller compression. One such active pharmaceutical ingredient susceptible to tackiness is ibuprofen.