ABSTRACT
The goal of an oral lipid based formulation is to improve the bioavailability of a poorly water soluble drug to an extent greater than that achievable with a conventional oral solid dosage form. The primary mechanism by which lipid-based formulations enhance bioavailability is through solubilization of the drug, although other mechanisms of absorption enhancement have been implicated and include reduction of P-glycoprotein-mediated efflux, mitigation of hepatic first pass metabolism through enhanced lymphatic transport (1-3), prolongation of gastrointestinal (GI) transit time, or protection from degradation in the GI tract.
