Fabricating 3D printed orally disintegrating printlets using selective laser sintering

Publication date: 25 April 2018 Source:International Journal of Pharmaceutics, Volume 541, Issues 1–2 Author(s): Fabrizio Fina, Christine M. Madla, Alvaro Goyanes, Jiaxin Zhang, Simon Gaisford, Abdul W. Basit Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a three-dimensional printing (3DP) technology employed to manufacture plastic, metallic or ceramic objects. The aim of this study was to demonstrate the feasibility of using SLS to fabricate novel solid dosage forms with accelerated drug release properties, and with a view to create orally disintegrating formulations. Two polymers (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC E5) and vinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer (Kollidon® VA 64)) were separately mixed with 5% paracetamol (used as a model drug) and 3% Candurin® Gold Sheen colorant; the powder mixes were subjected to SLS printing, resulting in the manufacture of printlets (3DP tablets). Modulating the SLS printing parameters altered the release characteristics of the printlets, with faster laser scanning speeds accelerating drug release from the HPMC formulations. The same trend was observed for the Kollidon® based printlets. At a laser scanning speed of 300 mm/s, the Kollidon® printlets exhibited orally disintegrating characteristics by completely dispersing in <4 s in a small volume of water. X-ray micro-CT analysis of these printlets indicated a reduction in their density and an increase in open porosity, therefore, confirming the unique disintegration beha...
Source: International Journal of Pharmaceutics - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Source Type: research