Abstract

FORMULATION AND EVALUATION OF THE SELF MICROEMULSIFING DRUG DELIVERY SYSTEM (SMEDDS) OF POORLY SOLUBLE DRUG

K. Navya* and M. Mounika

ABSTRACT

SMEDDS are mixtures of oils and surfactants, ideally isotropic and sometimes containing co-solvents, which emulsify spontaneously to produce fine oil-in-water emulsions when introduced into an aqueous phase under gentle agitation. Self-emulsifying formulations spread readily in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and the digestive motility of the stomach and the intestine provide the agitation necessary for selfemulsification. These systems advantageously present the drug in dissolved form and the small droplet size provides a large interfacial area for the drug absorption. SEDDS typically produce emulsions with a droplet size between 100–300 nm while self-microemulsifying drug delivery systems (SMEDDS) form transparent microemulsions with a droplet size of less than 50 nm. When compared with emulsions, which are sensitive and metastable dispersed forms, SEDDS are physically stable formulations that are easy to manufacture. Thus, for lipophilic drug compounds that exhibit dissolution rate-limited absorption, these systems may offer an improvement in the rate and extent of absorption and result in more reproducible blood-time profiles.

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