Eudragit®: A Versatile Family of Polymers for Hot Melt Extrusion and 3D Printing Processes in Pharmaceutics

Abstract

Eudragit® polymers are polymethacrylates highly used in pharmaceutics for the development of modified drug delivery systems. They are widely known due to their versatility with regards to chemical composition, solubility, and swelling properties. Moreover, Eudragit polymers are thermoplastic, and their use has been boosted in some production processes, such as hot melt extrusion (HME) and fused deposition modelling 3D printing, among other 3D printing techniques. Therefore, this review covers the studies using Eudragit polymers in the development of drug delivery systems produced by HME and 3D printing techniques over the last 10 years. Eudragit E has been the most used among them, mostly to formulate immediate release systems or as a taste-masker agent. On the other hand, Eudragit RS and Eudragit L100-55 have mainly been used to produce controlled and delayed release systems, respectively. The use of Eudragit polymers in these processes has frequently been devoted to producing solid dispersions and/or to prepare filaments to be 3D printed in different dosage forms. In this review, we highlight the countless possibilities offered by Eudragit polymers in HME and 3D printing, whether alone or in blends, discussing their prominence in the development of innovative modified drug release systems.

Preparation of Azithromycin Amorphous Solid Dispersion by Hot-Melt Extrusion: An Advantageous Technology with Taste Masking and Solubilization Effects

“…Eudragit ® RL PO is a thermoplastic methacrylate copolymer in which the drug is released through hydrophilic pores formed by quaternary ammonium groups. It has a high content of quaternary ammonium groups, forming pores with a large diameter and high swelling and permeability, which allows a faster drug release [ 34 , 35 ].…”

3D-Printed Products for Topical Skin Applications: From Personalized Dressings to Drug Delivery

“…The main polymers reported for this technique are PVA (poly(vinyl alcohol)), PLA (polylactic acid) and EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate) [69]. Moreover, PCL (polycaprolactone) [70,71] and polymethacrylates, as Eudragit ® [72] are being well explored in the pharmaceutical field due to their versatility. On the Encouraged by the development of 3D printing technology, a great range of polymers are arising to achieve diverse requirements of biomedical applications [58].…”

“…On the other hand, some 3D printing technologies, i.e., SLA, lack a great range of materials available, once most of them are not recognized as safe (GRAS) [53]. In addition to the main polymers, other excipients can be necessary for successful 3D printing and adequate mechanical properties, such as plasticizer, antioxidant, insoluble or soluble filler, lubricant, among others [70,[72][73][74].…”

Ammonio Methacrylate Copolymer (Type B)-Diltiazem Interactions in Solid Dispersions and Microsponge Drug-Delivery Systems

“…Acrylate and methacrylate polymers are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry as matrix- or film-forming materials [ 1 , 2 ]. The development of solid amorphous drug–polymer dispersions is the most common goal when subjecting them to the various techniques of molding/casting, hot-melt extrusion, 3D printing, solvent evaporation, granulation, precipitation, etc.…”

“…[ 3 , 4 , 5 ]. Compared to the solid crystalline dispersions, the solid amorphous drug–polymer dispersions are characterized by increased homogeneity, permeability, drug saturation point, and drug release [ 2 ]. Not by accident, the predominantly amorphous-in-nature ammonio methacrylate copolymers (Eudragit ® RS and RL), butylated methacrylate copolymer (Eudragit ® E), and methacrylic acid–methyl methacrylate copolymer 1:1 (Eudragit ® L) [ 6 ] are applied as crystallization inhibitors (both on nucleation and crystal growth) in the composition of miscellaneous drug-delivery carriers [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”