Self-Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS): An Emerging Dosage Form to Improve the Bioavailability of Poorly Absorbed Drugs

The main objective of drug(s) formulation is to enhance the bioavailability of the drug within the body. Some of the challenging issues associated with poorly water-soluble drugs concern solubility and bioavailability factors. To overcome these problems, new technologies, such as lipid-based drug delivery systems including micro or nano emulsifying drug delivery system, have gained importance in recent years, due to their enhanced solubility and bioavailability in the gastrointestinal tract. Such systems are incorporated or solubilized within the lipid excipients or mixed with oils or surfactants/co-solvents to facilitate the solubility and absorption rate, which can enhance the bioavailability of the targeted drug. This review provides a comprehensive summary about the properties, factors affecting formulations, excipients, formulation techniques, and characterization of self-emulsifying drug delivery systems. It also focuses on the new approaches concerned with SEDDS.