the preferred active compounds of the present invention are in an ionized , salt form or as the free base of the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof ( provided , for the aerosol or pump spray compositions , they are soluble in the spray solvent ). these compounds are soluble in the non - polar solvents of the invention at useful concentrations or can be prepared as pastes at useful concentrations . these concentrations may be less than the standard accepted dose for these compounds since there is enhanced absorption of the compounds through the oral mucosa . this aspect of the invention is especially important when there is a large ( 40 - 99 . 99 %) first pass effect . as propellants for the non polar sprays , propane , n - butane , iso - butane , n - pentane , iso - pentane , and neo - pentane , and mixtures thereof may be used . n - butane and iso - butane , as single gases , are the preferred propellants . it is permissible for the propellant to have a water content of no more than 0 . 2 %, typically 0 . 1 - 0 . 2 %. all percentages herein are by weight unless otherwise indicated . it is also preferable that the propellant be synthetically produced to minimize the presence of contaminants which are harmful to the active compounds . these contaminants include oxidizing agents , reducing agents , lewis acids or bases , and water . the concentration of each of these should be less than 0 . 1 %, except that water may be as high as 0 . 2 %. suitable non - polar solvents for the capsules and the non - polar sprays include ( c 2 - c 24 ) fatty acid ( c 2 - c 6 ) esters , c 7 - c 18 hydrocarbon , c 2 - c 6 alkanoyl esters , and triglycerides of the corresponding acids . when the capsule fill is a paste , other liquid components may be used instead of the above low molecular weight solvents . these include soya oil , corn oil , other vegetable oils . as solvents for the polar capsules or sprays there may be used low molecular weight polyethyleneglycols ( peg ) of 400 - 1000 mw ( preferably 400 - 600 ), low molecular weight ( c 2 - c 8 ) mono and polyols and alcohols of c 7 - c 18 linear or branch chain hydrocarbons , glycerin may also be present and water may also be used in the sprays , but only in limited amount in the capsules . it is expected that some glycerin and water used to make the gelatin shell will migrate from the shell to the fill during the curing of the shell . likewise , there may be some migration of components from the fill to the shell during curing and even throughout the shelf - life of the capsule . therefore , the values given herein are for the compositions as prepared , it being within the scope of the invention that minor variations will occur . the preferred flavoring agents are synthetic or natural oil of peppermint , oil of spearmint , citrus oil , fruit flavors , sweeteners ( sugars , aspartame , saccharin , etc . ), and combinations thereof . the compositions may further include a taste mask . the term “ taste mask ” as used herein means an agent that can hide or minimize an undesirable flavor such as a bitter or sour flavor . a representative taste mask is a combination of vanillin , ethyl vanillin , maltol , iso - amyl acetate , ethyl oxyhydrate , anisic aldehyde , and propylene glycol ( commercially available as “ pfc 9885 bitter mask ” from pharmaceutical flavor clinic of camden , n . j .). a taste mask in combination with a flavoring agent is particularly advantageous when the active compound is an alkaloid since alkaloids often have a bitter taste . the active substances include the active compounds selected from the group consisting of cyclosporine , sermorelin , octreotide acetate , calcitonin - salmon , insulin lispro , sumatriptan succinate , clozepine , cyclobenzaprine , dexfenfluramine hydrochloride , glyburide , zidovudine , erythromycin , ciprofloxacin , ondansetron hydrochloride , dimenhydrinate , cimetidine hydrochloride , famotidine , phenytoin sodium , phenytoin , carboprost thromethamine , carboprost , diphenhydramine hydrochloride , isoproterenol hydrochloride , terbutaline sulfate , terbutaline , theophylline , albuterol sulfate and neutraceuticals , that is to say nutrients with pharmacological action such as but not limited to carnitine , valerian , echinacea , and the like . in another embodiment , the active compound is a p - fox ( fatty acid oxidation ) inhibitor , acetylcholinesterase inhibitor , nerve impulse inhibitor , anti - cholinergic , anti - convulsant , anti - psychotic , anxiolytic agent , dopamine metabolism inhibitor , agent to treat post stroke sequelae , neuroprotectant , agent to treat alzheimer &# 39 ; s disease , neurotransmitter , neurotransmitter agonist , sedative , agent for treating attention deficit disorder , agent for treating narcolepsy , central adregenic antagonist , anti - depression agent , agent for treating parkinson &# 39 ; s disease , benzodiazepine antagonist , stimulant , neurotransmitter antagonist , tranquilizer , or a mixture thereof . in one embodiment the active compound is a p - fox inhibitor . a suitable p - fox inhibitor for use in the buccal sprays of the invention includes , but is not limited to , ranolazine . in one embodiment the active compound is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor . suitable acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , galantamine , neostigmine , physostigmine , and edrophonium . in one embodiment the active compound is a nerve impulse inhibitor . suitable nerve impulse inhibitors for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , levobupivacaine , lidocaine , prilocaine , mepivacaine , propofol , rapacuronium bromide , ropivacaine , tubocurarine , atracurium , doxaurium , mivacurium , pancuronium , vercuronium , pipecuronium , and rocuronium . in one embodiment the active compound is an anti - cholinergic . suitable anti - cholinergics for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , amantadine , ipratropium , oxitropium , and dicycloverine . in one embodiment the active compound is an anti - convulsant . suitable anti - convulsants for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , acetazolamide , carbamazepine , clonazepam , diazepam , divalproex ( valproic acid ), ethosuximide , lamotrignine acid , levetriacetam , oxcarbazepine , phenobarbital , phenytoin , pregabalin , primidone , remacemide , trimethadione , topiramate , vigabatrin , and zonisamide . in one embodiment the active compound is an anti - psychotic . suitable anti - psychotics for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , amisulpride , aripiprazole bifemelane , bromperidol , clozapine , chlorpromazine , haloperidol , iloperidone loperidone , olanzapine , quetiapine , fluphenazine , fumarate , risperidone , thiothixene , thioridazine , sulpride , and ziprasidone , in one embodiment the active compound is an anxiolytic agent . suitable anxiolytic agents for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , amitryptiline , atracurium , buspirone , chlorzoxazone , clorazepate , cisatracurium , cyclobenzaprine , eperisone , esopiclone , hydroxyzine , mirtazapine , mivacurium , pagoclone , sulperide , zaleplon , and zopiclone . in one embodiment the active compound is a dopamine metabolism inhibitor . suitable dopamine metabolism inhibitors for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , entacapone , lazebemide , selegiline , and tolcapone . in one embodiment the active compound is an agent to treat post stroke sequelae . suitable agents to treat post stroke sequelae for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , glatiramer , interferon beta 1a , interferon beta 1b , estradiol , and progesterone . in one embodiment the active compound is a neuroprotectant . suitable neuroprotectants for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , donepezil , memanine , nimodipine , riluzole , rivastigmine , tacrine , tak147 , and xaliproden . in one embodiment the active compound is an agent to treat alzheimer &# 39 ; s disease . suitable agents to treat alzheimer &# 39 ; s disease for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , carbidopa , levodopa , tacrine , donezepil , rivastigrnine , and galantamine . in one embodiment the active compound is a neurotransmitter . suitable neurotransmitters for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , acetylcholine , serotonin , 5 - hydroxytryptamine ( 5 - ht ), gaba , glutamate , aspartate , glycine , histamine , epinephrine , norpinephrine , dopamine , adenosine , atp , and nitric oxide . in one embodiment the active compound is a neurotransmitter agonist . suitable neurotransmitter agonists for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , almotriptan , aniracetam , atomoxetine , benserazide , bromocriptine , bupropion , cabergoline , citalopram , clomipramine , desipramine , diazepam , dihydroergotamine , doxepin duloxetine , eletriptan , escitalopram , fluvoxamine , gabapentin , imipramine , moclobemide , naratriptan , nefazodone , nefiracetam acamprosate , nicergoline , nortryptiline , paroxetine , pergolide , pramipexole , rizatriptan , ropinirole , sertraline , sibutramine , sumatriptan , tiagabine , trazodone , venlafaxine , and zolmitriptan . in one embodiment the active compound is a sedative . suitable sedatives for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , dexmedetomidine , eszopiclone , indiplon , zolpidem , and zaleplon . in one embodiment the active compound is an agent for treating attention deficit disorder . suitable agents for treating attention deficit disorder for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , amphetamine , dextroamphetamine , methylphenidate , and pemoline . in one embodiment the active compound is an agent for treating narcolepsy . suitable agents for treating narcolepsy for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , modafinil and mazindol . in one embodiment the active compound is a central adregenic antagonists . a suitable central adregenic antagonists for use in the buccal sprays of the invention includes , but is not limited to , mesoridazine . in one embodiment the active compound is an anti - depression agent . suitable anti - depression agents for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , amitriptyline , amoxapine , bupropion , clomipramine , clomipramine , clorgyline , desipramine , doxepin , fluoxetine , imipramine , isocarboxazid , maprotiline , mirtazapine , nefazodone , nortriptyline , paroxetine , phenelzine , protriptyline , sertraline , tranylcypromine , trazodone , and venlafaxine . in one embodiment the active compound is an agent for treating parkinson &# 39 ; s disease . suitable agents for treating parkinson &# 39 ; s disease for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , amantadine , bromocriptine , carvidopa , levodopa , pergolide , and selegiline . in one embodiment the active compound is a benzodiazepine antagonist . a suitable benzodiazepine antagonist for use in the buccal sprays of the invention includes , but is not limited to , flumazenil . in one embodiment the active compound is a neurotransmitter antagonist . a suitable neurotransmitter antagonist for use in the buccal sprays of the invention includes , but is not limited , to deramciclane . in one embodiment the active compound is a stimulant . suitable stimulants for use in the buccal sprays of the invention include , but are not limited to , amphetamine , dextroamphetamine , dinoprostone , methylphenidate , methylphenidate , modafinil , and pemoline . in one embodiment the active compound is a tranquilizer . a suitable tranquilizer for use in the buccal sprays of the invention includes , but is not limited to , mesoridazine . in a another embodiment , the active compound is zolpidem or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof . in one embodiment , the active compound is zolpidem tartrate . typically , when zolpidem or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof is the active compound the buccal spray contains from about 0 . 01 to 20 weight / weight ( w / w ) percent zolpidem , more preferably 0 . 1 to 15 w / w percent zolpidem , and most preferably 0 . 2 to 10 w / w percent zolpidem . the invention further relates to a method of treating insomnia in a patient by spraying the oral mucosa of the patient with a therapeutically effective amount of a buccal spray comprising zolpidem or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof . the formulations of the present invention comprise an active compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof . the term “ pharmaceutically acceptable salts ” refers to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non - toxic acids or bases including organic and inorganic acids or bases . when an active compound of the present invention is acidic , salts may be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non - toxic bases . salts derived from all stable forms of inorganic bases include aluminum , ammonium , calcium , copper , iron , lithium , magnesium , manganese , potassium , sodium , zinc , etc . particularly preferred are the ammonium , calcium , magnesium , potassium , and sodium salts . salts derived from pharmaceutically acceptable organic non - toxic bases include salts of primary , secondary , and tertiary amines , substituted amines including naturally occurring substituted amines , cyclic amines and basic ion - exchange resins such as arginine , betaine , caffeine , choline , n , n dibenzylethylenediamine , diethylamine , 2 - diethylaminoethanol , 2 - dimethyl - aminoethanol , ethanolamine , ethylenediamnine , n - ethylmorpholine , n - ethylpiperidine , glucamine , glucosamine , histidine , isopropylamine , lysine , methyl - glucosamine , morpholine , piperazine , piperidine , polyamine resins , procaine , purine , theobromine , triethylamine , trimethylamine , tripropylamine , etc . when an active compound of the present invention is basic , salts may be prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable non - toxic acids . such acids include acetic , benzenesulfonic , benzoic , camphorsulfonic , citric , ethane - sulfonic , fumaric , gluconic , glutamic , hydrobromic , hydrochloric , isethionic , lactic , maleic , mandelic , methanesulfonic , mucic , nitric , pamoic , pantothenic , phosphoric , succinic , sulfuric , tartaric , p - toluenesulfonic , etc . particularly preferred are citric , hydrobromic , maleic , phosphoric , sulfuric , and tartaric acids . in the discussion of methods of treatment herein , reference to the active compounds is meant to also include the pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof . while certain formulations are set forth herein , the actual amounts to be administered to the mammal or man in need of same are to be determined by the treating physician . the invention is further defined by reference to the following examples , which are intended to be illustrative and not limiting . the following are examples of certain classes . all values unless otherwise specified are in weight percent . cns active amines and their salts : including but not limited to c . a propellant free zolpidem formulation in a mixture of a polar
buccal aerosol sprays or capsules using polar and non - polar solvents have now been developed which provide zolpidem for rapid absorption through the oral mucosa , resulting in fast onset of effect . the buccal polar compositions of the invention comprise formulation i : aqueous polar solvent , zolpidem , and optional flavoring agent ; formulation ii : aqueous polar solvent , zolpidem , optionally flavoring agent , and propellant ; formulation iii : non - polar solvent , zolpidem , and optional flavoring agent ; formulation iv : non - polar solvent , zolpidem , optional flavoring agent , and propellant ; formulation v : a mixture of a polar solvent and a non - polar solvent , zolpidem , and optional flavoring agent ; formulation vi : a mixture of a polar solvent and a non - polar solvent , zolpidem , optional flavoring agent , and propellant .