Microemulsions- Potential Carrier for Improved Drug Delivery

The novel carriers have been exploited through almost all the routes of administration. Association of drugs with carriers is normally noncovalent, based on collective strength of weak binding forces. Many newer carriers are evolving with the advent of technology and the demand of targeted delivery like microemulsions. Microemulsions are clear, stable, isotropic mixtures of oil, water and surfactant, frequently in combination with a cosurfactant. These systems are currently of interest to the pharmaceutical scientist because of their considerable potential to act as drug delivery vehicles by incorporating a wide range of drug molecules. They offer the advantage of spontaneous formation, ease of manufacturing and scale-up, thermodynamic stability, and improved drug solubilization and bioavailability. Preparing a pharmaceutically acceptable dosage form demands a clear understanding of the micro-emulsion structure, phase behavior, factors leading to its thermodynamic stability, factors influencing drug release from the formulation, requirements of ideal microemulsion excipients, and the potential uses and limitations of the microemulsion system.