Emulsions in Health Care Applications—An Overview

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical applications of emulsions are reviewed with special emphasis on the main reasons these vehicles are used and on their limitations. The development of current applications and future directions are considered according to their delivery routes: these routes can be either parenteral, ocular, or oral, or even transdermal. We examine the raw materials generally used in the formulation of these emulsions, and we consider the main factors influencing the release and absorption of the drugs from these vehicles. We also treat the pharmaceutical applications of emulsified vehicles, particularly submicron emulsions, multiple emulsions, and microemulsions. We have also developed some interesting applications of these formulations such as self-emulsifying drug delivery systems, fat emulsions, and drug carrier systems.