This review is the first to focus specifically on the interaction of metal complexes with surfactants, an area of growing interest due to its potential in improving solubility and biological properties. Drug-based metal complexes containing organic ligands often exhibit poor solubility in aqueous media, limiting their study and practical applications. The addition of surfactants plays a pivotal role in not only solubilizing these metal complexes but also enhancing their biological properties. The surfactant molecules can act as ligands, improving solubility while altering the morphology and coordination modes of complexes. This review provides a concise discussion of how surfactant interactions can enhance solubility and influence biological processes. It also covers the mechanism behind these interactions, their impact on bioavailability, and the techniques as well as factors that influence the interaction of surfactants with metal complexes. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.