Recent advances in self-emulsifying drug delivery system

Abstract

Lipophilic drugs can be solubilised to increase the bioavailability by using several methods like microemulsion, nanosuspension, liposome, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN), self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS), com- plexation with cyclodextrin. SEDDS has received particular attention towards enhancing the oral bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs. SEDDS are isotropic mixtures of oils and surfactants, sometimes containing cosolvents which emulsify spontaneously to produce fine oil in water emulsion when introduced into an aqueous of GIT under gen- tle agitation. These systems advantageously present the drug in dissolved form and the small droplet size provides a larger surface area for drug absorption. SEDDS are liquid to semisolid in nature, but it has some draw backs like formulation development, quality control, stability etc. To overcome this, liquid SEDDS can be converted into solid SEDDS such as pellets, tablets, capsules, microspheres, nanoparticles, microbeads, suppositories etc. without af- fecting drug release property. This article gives an overview of new excipients used in SEDDS, types of newer for- mulations and self-emulsifying dosage forms with characterization methods and pharmaceutical applications of SEDDS