Hot Melt Extrusion and its Application in 3D Printing of Pharmaceuticals

Abstract

Abstract:: Hot melt extrusion (HME) is a continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing process that has been extensively inves-tigated for solubility improvement and taste masking of active pharmaceutical ingredients. Recently, it is being explored for its application in 3D printing. 3D printing of pharmaceuticals allows flexibility of dosage form design, customization of dosage form for personalized therapy and the possibility of complex designs with the inclusion of multiple actives in a sin-gle unit dosage form. Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is a 3D printing technique with a variety of applications in pharma-ceutical dosage form development. FDM process requires a polymer filament as the starting material that can be obtained by hot melt extrusion. Recent reports suggest enormous applications of a combination of hot melt extrusion and FDM technol-ogy in 3D printing of pharmaceuticals and need to be investigated further. This review in detail describes the HME process along with its application in 3D printing. The review also summarizes the published reports on the application of HME cou-pled with 3D printing technology in drug delivery.

Facile fabrication of an extended‐release tablet of Ticagrelor using three dimensional printing technology

“…In details, with the aim of reducing blood fluctuations and increasing patient compliance, we tried to develop an extended‐release form of Ticagrelor, which is usually administered twice daily. In this regard, a melt extrusion 3D printer was used to fabricate it 37 . The extrudability and printability of a desired smooth filament were optimized using the mixture of Eudragit RS‐100 polymer and triethyl citrate with the drug for rapid prototyping.…”

“…The mixing process at molecular level is facilitated by temperature treatment above glass transition temperature ( T g ) of thermoplastic polymers, producing amorphous materials with desired properties 23 . This technique is sometimes known as a prerequisite for producing filaments containing drug and polymer mixture 37,38 . Such filaments would be used in FDM or HME‐based‐3D printing methods for fabrication of desired pills 33,37,39 .…”

“…23 This technique is sometimes known as a prerequisite for producing filaments containing drug and polymer mixture. 37,38 Such filaments would be used in FDM or HME-based-3D printing methods for fabrication of desired pills. 33,37,39 To print them in the thermal processes, selection of suitable thermoplastic polymers is considered the most important part of design.…”

“…37,38 Such filaments would be used in FDM or HME-based-3D printing methods for fabrication of desired pills. 33,37,39 To print them in the thermal processes, selection of suitable thermoplastic polymers is considered the most important part of design. In other words, the process using the polymer mixtures must be led to desired extrudability, printability and drug stability.…”

Novel Applications of Hot Melt Extrusion Technology

“…The extrudates prepared through hot melt extrusion of drugs and polymers are used as starting material for 3D printing. Fused deposition modeling is used to prepare personalized medicines from extrudates like 3D printed microneedles, pediatric formulations, etc 34 . Microneedles have certain advantages like to initiate quick action or improving bioavailability as they can directly route the drug into the systemic circulation 35 .…”