SUBMICRON EMULSIONS AS COLLOIDAL DRUG CARRIERS FOR INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION - COMPREHENSIVE PHYSICOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION

Submicron injectable emulsions have been gaining more and more attenti on in the last few years, mainly as a vehicle for the intravenous admi nistration of lipophilic drugs rather than as an improved delivery sys tem for drug targeting. Submicron emulsions are available, clinically well accepted, and successfully marketed. Novel original emulsion form ulations are being extensively investigated and already exhibit improv ed pharmacological activity; this fact underlines the promising therap eutic properties of these colloidal drug carriers as vehicles for pote nt lipophilic drugs. It is therefore essential to carry out a comprehe nsive physicochemical characterization of these submicron emulsions. I t is the objective of the present review to emphasize the need for phy sicochemical studies in the design of new submicron emulsion drug deli very systems and to describe the different approaches available for ca rrying out such a complete examination of emulsion colloidal drug carr ier system.