The present invention provides a novel process for preparation of the tannate salt of gabapentin for human and veterinary pharmaceutical use. Tannate salts of active pharmaceutical ingredients are used in sustained release applications and to improve certain organoleptic properties such as taste. However, the prior art neither discloses nor suggests the preparation of gabapentin tannate. The process for preparing gabapentin tannate includes the mixing of gabapentin and tannic acid together in the presence of one or more solvents. The method may further include the step of selecting the one or more solvents from a group consisting of purified water, ethanol, glycerin, propylene glycol, diethylether, methylene chloride, acetone, isopropyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. The process may also include the steps of isolating and purifying the tannate salt. This may be accomplished by filtration, drying, centrifugation and lyophilization. The process may utilize either natural or synthetic tannic acid.