Doxycycline metal complex in a solid dosage form

1. A solid dosage form comprising a doxycycline calcium complex for pharmaceutical administration, wherein the complex consists of doxycycline and calcium, and wherein the molar ratio of doxycycline to calcium in the complex is 1:1.

2. The solid dosage form of claim 1 , wherein said solid dosage form is selected from the group consisting of powders, granules, tablets, coated tablets, gelatin filled capsules, pellets, and chewable tablets.

3. The solid dosage form of claim 2 , wherein said solid dosage form is a chewable tablet.

4. A solid pharmaceutical dosage form comprising:

(i) a doxycycline calcium complex, wherein the complex consists of doxycycline and calcium in a solid form, and wherein the molar ratio of doxycycline to calcium in the complex is 1:1; and

(ii) one or more pharmaceutically acceptable excipients.

5. The composition of claim 4 , wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is selected from the group consisting of polymers, resins, plasticizers, fillers, lubricants, binders, disintegrants, granulating agents, solvents, co-solvents, surfactants, preservatives, sweetening agents, flavoring agents, buffering systems, antioxidants, pharmaceutical-grade dyes, pigments, and mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of claim 4 , wherein said pharmaceutically acceptable excipient is microcrystalline cellulose.

7. A solid dosage form comprising a doxycycline calcium complex, wherein the complex consists of doxycycline and calcium, wherein the molar ratio of doxycycline to calcium in the complex is 1:1, and wherein the complex was made by a process comprising the steps of:

(i) providing an aqueous solution of doxycycline or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof;

(ii) admixing a calcium salt with the aqueous solution;

(iii) admixing a base to increase the pH of the aqueous solution, thereby forming a suspension of doxycycline calcium complex; and

(iv) drying the suspension, thereby forming a dry granulation of doxycycline calcium complex.

8. A method of treating a bacterial infection in a subject, the method comprising:

administering to the subject a solid pharmaceutical dosage form comprising a solid doxycycline calcium complex, wherein the complex consists of doxycycline and calcium, and wherein the molar ratio of doxycycline to calcium in the complex is 1:1.