In the present study, controlled-release microparticles for orally disintegrating tablets (ODT) were prepared using two different processes, spray drying and fluidized bed coating processes. Pramipexole dihydrochloride monohydrate (PRM), an anti-Parkinson's disease agent, was selected as a model drug. The in vitro release rate and morphology of microparticles were evaluated and compared. The size of microparticles prepared by spray drying (SD microparticles) and fluidized bed coating (FC microparticles) was around 10 and 200 lm, respectively. The latter size was defined by the size of an inert core bead. The release behavior of SD microparticles was characterized by a large initial burst release prior to slow release. In the case of FC microparticles, the initial burst release was smaller than that of SD microparticles and the compression process damaged the releasecontrolling layer, which led to a change in release rate. The results indicated the importance of carefully considering the manufacturing process for microparticles during the design of controlled-release ODT.