A tablet for the controlled release of a pharmaceutically active ingredient. The tablet is in the form of coated DST's and MLDST's so that immediate release or time-delayed release can be achieved. Further, such extended release DST's and MLDST's may provide zero order or first order extended release kinetics depending on the excipients and types of pharmaceutically active ingredients in the tablet formulation. The time delay coating is made of high molecular weight water soluble polymers so that dose dumping can be minimized even when the hydrated surface of the DST and MLDST peels off. A second coating of low molecular weight water soluble polymer with a pharmaceutically active ingredient dispersed therein provides for pulsatile release.