Semifluorinated Alkanes as New Drug Carriers: An Overview of Potential Medical and Clinical Applications

Semifluorinated alkanes (SFAs) are emerging as promising drug carriers due to their unique physicochemical properties, such as high gas solubility and low surface tension, which allow them to form colloidal systems and dissolve lipophilic drugs. Clinically, SFAs are used in vitreoretinal surgery and as eye drops, with potential future applications in oxygen transport and intravenous use. They exhibit high biocompatibility and low toxicity, making them effective in ophthalmology and as oxygen carriers. SFAs improve drug delivery in pulmonary applications, enhance pancreatic islet preservation, and increase drug penetration in skin applications. They also stabilize emulsions for intravenous delivery, offering a versatile platform for enhancing drug delivery across various routes.