Medical Science & Healthcare Practice ISSN 2573-0371 (Print) ISSN 2573-038X (Onilne) Vol. 1, No. 1, 2017 www.scholink.org/ojs/index.php/mshp 26 Formulation Development and Optimization of Oral Thin Films of Zolpidem Tartarate T.Neelima Rani 1* 1 Mallareddy pharmacy college, Dhulapally, Secunderabad * T.Neelima Rani, E-mail: neelimarani.tumma@gmail.com Received: March 31, 2017 Accepted: April 10, 2017 Online Published: April 16, 2017 doi:10.22158/mshp.v1n1p26 URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.22158/mshp.v1n1p26 Abstract The aim of the present study was to formulate and evaluate oral thin films of zolpidem tartarate. Zolpidem tartarateis used to treat insomnia. It affects chemicals in your brain that may become unbalanced and cause sleep problems (insomnia). Zolpidem tartarate oral thin films were prepared by using solvent casting method. In this method, water soluble polymer is completely dissolved in to form uniform clear viscous solution other ingredients including API are dissolved in a small portion of aqueous solvent by using a high shear processor. This viscous solution is degassed under the vacuum to remove the air bubbles. This bubble free solution is poured into a glass mold and kept in oven at 40 º-50ºC. Oral disintegrating films are prepared using three grades of polymers HPMC E5, GUAR GUM and SODIUM ALGINATE Compatibility of Zolpidem tartarate with polymers was confirmed by FT-IR studies. All the formulations were evaluated for their physical appearance, average weight and thickness, folding endurance, disintegration time, tensile strength, percentage elongation, drug content, content uniformity and in vitro drug dissolution studies. From the result, it was concluded that the fast dissolving films of Zolpidem tartarate can be made by solvent casting technique with enhanced dissolution rate and taste masking by using suitable combination of sweeteners, flavors and citric acid. The final composition optimized was drug to Guar Gum ratio of 1:1, plasticizer concentration of 15% w/w of polymer. The film had acceptable physical properties, assay and uniformity values and in vitro dissolution within 2 minutes. Keywords oral thin films, Zolpidem tartarate, solvent casting, placebo films, guar gum, sodium alginate, HPMC E5 1. Introduction Fast-dissolving drug-delivery systems were first developed in the late 1970s as an alternative to tablets, capsules, and syrups for pediatric and geriatric patients who experience difficulties swallowing