720 B. K. Nanjwade et al.: Marketed formulation Alfarol® Hectorol® Glakay® Two-excipients formulations The next level of complexity in lipid-based formulations is reached by those that contain two excipients. Some typical combinations are sesame oil with α-tocopherol, medium chain triglycerides with ethanol, and propylene glycol esters of fatty acids with glyceryl mono-oleate (see Table 7). Tab. 7. Marketed two-lipid excipient formulations API Dosage form Manufacturer Country of sale Alfacalcidol Capsule (soft gelatin), solution and powder Doxercalciferol Capsules (soft gelatin) Menatetrenone Capsules (soft gelatin) Chugai Pharmaceuticas Japan, Taiwan Draxis Pharma USA Eisai Co., Ltd. Japan Three-excipients formulations Ascending the scale in complexity, lipid-based formulations containing mixtures of three excipients have to be mentioned. Typical examples of such combinations include: (i) TPGS, polyethylene glycol (PEG) 400, and PG; (ii) oleic acid, cremophor EL, and ethanol or PG; iii) polysorbate 20, PEG 400, and povidone; (iv) medium chain mono- and diglycerides, α-tocopherol, and povidone; and (v) medium chain triglycerides, glycol esters of fatty acids, and aspartic acids (see Table 8). Tab. 8. Marketed three-lipid excipient formulations Marketed formulation Agenarase® Targretin® Norvir® API Dosage form Manufacturer Amprenavir Capsule (soft gelatin) GlaxoSmithKline Ligand Bexarotene Capsule (soft gelatin) Pharmaceuticals Incorporated Ritonavir Capsule (soft gelatin) Abbott Laboratories Country of sale USA USA USA Four-excipients formulations The most complex lipid-based formulations currently marketed contain mixtures of four excipients such as (i) ethanol, cremophor EL, propylene glycol and mono/diglycerides of caprylic/capric acid; (ii) rapeseed oil, beeswax, hydrogenated soyabean, and partially hydrogenated plant oils. All the formulations are marketed in soft gelatin capsules (see Table 9). Sci Pharm. 2011; 79: 705–727