Effects of crosslinking on the physical solid-state and dissolution properties of 3D-printed theophylline tablets

Crosslinking is an established treatment to alter the physicochemical and functional properties of polymers through creation bonds between polymer chains. Polymers can be crosslinked via radiation in presence photo-initiator. The aim present study was formulate 3D-printed theophylline (THEO) tablets using polyethylene oxide (PEO) as a carrier polymer, influence crosslinking on drug release behavior. were aqueous solution PEO THEO (80:20 w/w) with micro-extrusion-based printing setup. A photo-initiator (4-hydroxybenzophenone) added into solutions, injectability solutions investigated prior printing. after ultraviolet (UV) or gamma-radiation, verified by means Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. maximum injection force close that observed pure solution. Increasing number layers resulted slower vitro. Gamma-radiation nitrogen environment UV-crosslinking made less water-soluble, but such did not affect rate tablets. Surprisingly, even faster behavior found compared non-crosslinked More research work needed impact tablet layering thickness for tailoring