EP0760651A1 — Pharmaceutical compositions derived from microelmulsion-based gels, method for their preparation and new microemulsion-based gels

USPTO Abstract

The invention relates to a pharmaceutical composition comprising a microemulsion made up of a hydrophilic component, a lipophilic component, a surfactant and a drug, wherein the hydrophilic component, the lipophilic component and the surfactant form, when examined on a macroscopic scale, a one-phase solution. The hydrophilic component is dispersed as colloidal droplets in the lipophilic component, or the lipophilic component is dispersed as colloidal droplets in the hydrophilic component. According to still another alternative the hydrophilic and the lipophilic components form a microemulsion with bicontinuous structure wherein said components form elongated adjacent channels. The drug is dissolved in the dispersed component or, in case of a microemulsion with a bicontinuous structure, in the hydrophilic or the lipophilic component. The microemulsion is stabilized by means of the surfactant. It is characteristic that a gelatinizer and water are added to the microemulsion thereby bringing the microemulsion into a gel form.