Microemulsions as drug delivery systems to improve the solubility and the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs.
BACKGROUND
Microemulsions have been studied extensively as potential drug delivery vehicles for poorly water-soluble drugs. An understanding of the physicochemical and biopharmaceutical characteristics of the microemulsions according to administration routes will provide guidance for designing the formulations of microemulsions.


METHODS
In this paper, the use and the characteristics of microemulsions as drug delivery vehicles are reviewed. As the formulations of the microemulsion always include a great amount of surfactant and co-surfactant, which may cause hemolysis or histopathological alterations of the tissue, the potential toxicity or the irritancy of microemulsions is also discussed in this paper.


RESULTS
Developments of microemulsions for poorly water-soluble drugs in recent years are included in this review. Several factors limiting the commercial or clinical use of microemulsions are also discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the potential in enhanced drug uptake/permeation and facing the limitations, their unique properties make microemulsions a promising vehicle for poorly water-soluble drugs.
He
Cai-Xia
CX
Zhejiang University, Institute of Pharmaceutics, 388 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China.
He
Zhong-Gui
ZG
Gao
Jian-Qing
JQ
D000284:Administration, Oral; D001682:Biological Availability; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D004355:Drug Stability; D004655:Emulsions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D012995:Solubility
D004655:Emulsions