Pp. Constantinides, LIPID MICROEMULSIONS FOR IMPROVING DRUG DISSOLUTION AND ORAL ABSORPTION - PHYSICAL AND BIOPHARMACEUTICAL ASPECTS, Pharmaceutical research, 12(11), 1995, pp. 1561-1572
Purpose. This review highlights the state-of-the-art in pharmaceutical
microemulsions with emphasis on self-emulsifying systems, from both a
physical and biopharmaceutical perspective. Although these systems ha
ve several pharmaceutical applications, this review is primarily focus
ed on their potential for oral drug delivery and intestinal absorption
improvement. Methods. Physicochemical characteristics and formulation
design based on drug solubility and membrane permeability are discuss
ed. Results. Case studies in which lipid microemulsions have successfu
lly been used to improve drug solubilization/dissolution and/or intest
inal absorption of poorly absorbed drugs/peptides are presented. Concl
usions. Drug development issues such as commercial viability, mechanis
ms involved, range of applicability, safety, scale-up and manufacture
are outlined, and future research and development efforts to address t
hese issues are discussed.