Topical drug delivery systems include administration of drugs through the skin to provide topical therapeutic effects. Gels are the preferable dosage forms for topical delivery of drugs in the modern era as they provide faster drug release compared to other topical drug delivery systems. But their use is limited for the delivery of hydrophobic drugs. An emulsion-based approach (emulgel) is being used to overcome this limitation of gels. Emulgels are the dosage forms containing emulsions incorporated into gel bases. Favourable properties of emulgels when compared with other formulations are being less greasy, being thixotropic, easy to spread, easy to remove, emollient, non-staining and long shelf life. Efficacy and stability of emulgels are influenced by factors such as nature of gelling agent, oil agent and nature of emulsifiers. At present, the emulgels are being used for the delivery of various drugs like analgesics, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, anti-acne drugs and various cosmetic formulations.

Key words: Emulgel, emulsifiers, topical drug delivery, hydrophobic drugs.