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3D Printed “Starmix” Drug Loaded Dosage Forms for Paediatric Applications

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Abstract

Purpose

Three- dimensional (3D) printing has received significant attention as a manufacturing process for pharmaceutical dosage forms. In this study, we used Fusion Deposition Modelling (FDM) in order to print “candy – like” formulations by imitating Starmix® sweets to prepare paediatric medicines with enhanced palatability.

Methods

Hot melt extrusion processing (HME) was coupled with FDM to prepare extruded filaments of indomethacin (IND), hypromellose acetate succinate (HPMCAS) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) formulations and subsequently feed them in the 3D printer. The shapes of the Starmix® objects were printed in the form of a heart, ring, bottle, ring, bear and lion. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and confocal Raman analysis were used to assess the drug – excipient interactions and the content uniformity.

Results

Physicochemical analysis showed the presence of molecularly dispersed IND in the printed tablets. In vivo taste masking evaluation demonstrated excellent masking of the drug bitterness. The printed forms were evaluated for drug dissolution and showed immediate IND release independently of the printed shape, within 60 min.

Conclusions

3D printing was used successfully to process drug loaded filaments for the development of paediatric printed tablets in the form of Starmix® designs.

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Abbreviations

DSC:

Differential scanning calorimetry

FT-IR:

Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy

HME:

Hot melt extrusion processing

HPLC:

High performance liquid chromatography

HPMCAS:

Hypromellose acetate succinate

IND:

Indomethacin

PEG:

Polyethylene glycol

SEM:

Scanning Electron Microscopy

TGA:

Thermogravimetric analysis

XRPD:

X-ray powder diffraction

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Engineering and Science, School of Science, University of Greenwich, Medway Campus, Chatham Maritime, Kent, ME4 4TB, UK

    Nicolaos Scoutaris, Steven A. Ross & Dennis Douroumis

Authors
  1. Nicolaos Scoutaris
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  2. Steven A. Ross
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  3. Dennis Douroumis
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Correspondence to Dennis Douroumis.

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Scoutaris, N., Ross, S.A. & Douroumis, D. 3D Printed “Starmix” Drug Loaded Dosage Forms for Paediatric Applications. Pharm Res 35, 34 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-017-2284-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11095-017-2284-2

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