Design and Evaluation of Fast Dissolving Oral Films of Zolpidem by Solvent Casting Method

Present research was aimed with the objective of formulation of Zolpidem fast dissolving oral films, for rapid dissolution of drug and absorption, which may produce the rapid on set off action. The fast dissolving oral films were prepared by solvent casting method using various polymers like HPMC E5, HPMC E15, HPMC K15, microcrystalline cellulose and poly vinyl alcohol. Glycerol used as plasticizer. Prepared films were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters like film thickness, tensile strength, folding endurance, content uniformity, estimation of moisture content, disintegration studies and dissolution studies. As polymer concentration increases thickness increases. Thickness directly proportion to tensile strength so as thickness increases tensile strength also increases. Folding endurance increases as polymer concentration increases. The moisture uptake studies revealed that, the film take up very little moisture (1-2%) in high humid environment, hence this may favors the stability as well as compatability. In vitro drug release studies reveals that among all formulations F7 formulation highest amount of drug release compared to other formulations, hence F7 formulation was taken as optimized formulation for further studies. Short term stability studies were conducted for optimized formulation up to 3 months at 40±2c 75% R.H. after stability studies films were transparent all physical parameters were favorable and drug release was satisfactory.