ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on the commercially available lipid-based formulations for oral delivery, along with the lipid excipients in the formulations. The geographical focus is the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan since formulation information of commercial pharmaceutical products is available for these countries (1-3), but not so readily with other locations (4). The lipid excipients employed in lipid-based oral formulations have been reviewed (5) and include oils composed of medium-chain triglycerides or long-chain triglycerides, lipid soluble solvents, and surfactants. The published information on oral formulations usually includes only the qualitative list of most excipients (1-5); thus determining the exact amounts of excipients in a particular formulation is not possible. In certain cases, more quantitative formulation information is provided, thus allowing for estimates of the amount administered of a specific excipient.
