Solvent-free temperature-facilitated direct extrusion 3D printing for pharmaceuticals

In an era moving towards digital health, 3D printing has successfully proven its applicability in providing personalised medicine through a technology-based approach. Among the different techniques, direct extrusion been demonstrated as promising approach for on demand manufacturing of solid dosage forms. However, it usually requires use elevated temperatures and/or incorporation evaporable solvent (usually water). This can implicate addition drying step, which may compromise integrity moisture- or temperature-sensitive drugs, and open door additional quality control challenges. Here, we demonstrate new that simplifies process with elimination post-printing by merely adding fatty glyceride, glyceryl monostearate (GMS), to model drug (theophylline) permeable water insoluble methacrylate polymers (Eudragit RL RS). Indeed, rheological studies indicated combination plasticiser, (triethyl citrate), GMS theophylline: polymer blends significantly reduced extensional viscosity (to <2.5 kPa·Sec) at 90 °C. Interestingly, dual temperature-dependant behaviour acting both plasticiser lubricant temperature (90–110 °C), while aiding solidification room temperature. X-ray powder diffraction incomplete miscibility within polymeric matrix presence subtle peak, 2(?) = 20°. The printed tablets showed acceptable compendial weight content uniformity well sufficient mechanical resistance. vitro theophylline release from was dependant Eudragit RL:RS ratio. All all, this work contributes efforts developing simplified, facile low-cost small batch bespoke circumvents high post-manufacturing step.