Microcrystallized cellulose xanthate-metal-oxytetracycline complexes (MCX-metal-OTC) were prepared and evaluated as a controlled release system for the antibiotics. Microcrystallized cellulose (MC) was chemically modified to xanthated microcrystallized cellulose (MCX). One-bath method, where MCX was reacted with OTC-metal complexes, afforded greater amount of OTC bound to the polymeric matrix than did two-bath method, where MCX-metal complexes were treated with OTC. The OTC release from MCX-metal-OTC was greatly sustained compared with that from a mixture of MC/metal/OTC. Furthermore, MCX-metal-OTC manifested antibacterial activity, which lasted for 11-18 days. These results suggest that MCX-metal-OTC is a polymeric antibiotics with prolonged antibacterial activity.