LIPOSOMES WITH METRONIDAZOLE FOR TOPICAL USE - THE CHOICE OF PREPARATION METHOD AND VEHICLE

Liposomes containing metronidazole were prepared for the treatment of skin disorder Rosacea. To optimize the composition and size of liposom es, natural and synthetic lipids were used in three different preparat ion methods. Optimal liposomal preparation was incorporated into five dermal vehicles (three O/W emulsion creams and two gels) and vehicles tested for the stability (at 20 and 40 degrees C) during a storage per iod of 4 weeks. The evaluation of the vehicles was based on the compar ison between the original size distribution of liposomes and liposomes in vehicles (after 4 weeks) and on the rheological behaviour. The bes t vehicle appears to be the Carbopol(TM) gel, in which the liposomal s ize stayed unchanged even at 40 degrees C during the 4 weeks period.