The present study aims to develop Self-emulsifying Drug Delivery System (SEDDS) to increase bioavailability of drug and dissolution characteristics of dosage form. Primarily screening of different oils, surfactants and cosurfactants for solubility of drug was done. Based on solubility study Olive oil (oil) and Tween 80 (surfactant) Labrafil 1944 CS as cosurfactant were selected for further study. Optimization of SEDDS formulation was done by two methods firstly using design expert applying Mixture composite design and secondly by plotting Ternary diagram to find out optimum concentration of the oil and surfactant. Batches of SEDDS were prepared using Olive oil as oil, Tween 80 as surfactant and Labrafil 1944 CS and evaluated for Droplet size, Drug content, phase separation study and % Transmittance, Drug release. From the mixture composite design F3 formulation showed better drug release (100%) and lowest globule size (2.0 um) as compared to other batch of liquid SEDDS. Hence F3 formulation was considered as optimized formulation and was selected for further study. To form more stable and acceptable dosage form of drug, Solid Self Emulsifying Drug Delivery System (S-SEDDS) were prepared. The Development of S-SEDDS was attempted using kaolin and microcrystalline cellulose by Adsorption carrier technique.K3 and M3 were further analysed for in vitro dissolution studies. From dissolution study it was observed that there was an increase in solubility and decreases dissolution rate of Azithromycin dihydrate as compared to pure drug. K3 formulation had shown good dissolution profile and high similarity with marketed formulation than M3 formulation. The optimize formulation was then evaluated for its bioavailability study .The bioavailability studies for SEDDS formulation and marketed formulation were carried out using wistar abino rats. Hence F3 S-SEDDS K3 formulation containing Olive oil, Tween 80, Labrafil M 1944 CS and Kaolin may possibly be used to improve the bioavailability and dissolution characteristics of Azithromycin dihydrate.
