A NOVEL APPROACH TO SUSTAINED ZOLPIDEM TARTRATE RELEASE: COMPRESSED MINI-TABLETS Research Article

Compressed mini-tablets systems are presented as a biphasic delivery system. The outer layer that fills the void spaces between the mini-tablets was formulated to release the drug in a very short time (fast release), while the mini-tablets provided a prolonged release. Fast releasing component comprising superdisintegrant croscarmellose sodium, while mini-tablet was formulated using different concentration of HPMC K100M to obtain different drug release rates. The In-Vitro performance of these systems showed the desired biphasic behavior. The drug contained in the fast releasing phase (powder enrobing the mini-tablets) dissolved within the first 15 min, whereas the drug contained in the mini-tablets was released at different rates, depending upon composition of mini tablets. Based on the release kinetic parameters calculated, it can be concluded that mini-tablets containing HPMC K100M were particularly suitable approaching to release over 8 hr time periods.