Microemulsion-a Versatile Dimension of Novel Drug Delivery System

Purpose: This article gives a general review on self-micro emulsifying drug delivery system which is used for increasing dissolution rate, thereby, achieving better bioavailability. This technique of microemulsion can be applied for delivery of hydrophilic as well as lipophilic drugs. Approach: Out of number of approaches, microemulsion is a successful technique for the delivery of hydrophilic as well as lipophilic drug as drug carriers because of its improved drug solubilization capacity, long shelf life, ease of preparation and improvement of bioavailability. A vast review on theories of emulsification, methods of achieving micro emulsion, importance of phase diagram and applications of micro emulsions have been illustrated. Findings: The unique classes of optically clear, thermodynamically stable and usually low viscous solution are called micro emulsions. Size of microemulsion is less than 0.1 µm. Due to their unique properties such as ultralow interfacial tension, large interfacial area, thermodynamic stability and the ability to solubilize otherwise immiscible liquids, uses and applications of micro emulsions in pharmaceutical field have been numerous. Conclusion: This review covers a brief overview about various methods and applications of microemulsion technology as one of the successful dimension of novel drug delivery system.