Microemulsions: A Potential Drug Delivery System

P.   K.   Ghosh; R.   S.R.   Murthy

Abstract

Microemulsions are clear, transparent, thermodynamically stable dispersions of oil and water, stabilised by an interfacial film of surfactant frequently in combination with a co-surfactant. Recently, there has been a considerable interest for the microemulsion formulation, for the delivery of hydrophilic as well as lipophilic drug as drug carriers because of its improved drug solubilisation capacity, long shelf life, easy of preparation and improvement of bioavailability. In this present review, we discuss about the various advantages of microemulsion in pharmaceuticals, along with its composition variables, physicochemical characterisation etc. The potential use of microemulsion for therapeutic application is also discussed.

Keywords: Microemulsion, surfactants, formulation, characterisation, bioavailability, sustained release, parenteral, pharmaceutical use