RESUMO
The aim of this study is to apply 3D printing technology to hospital drug dosing operations, and explore its feasibility and scalability. Drugs often dosed in hospitals are selected as models. The commercially available drug was ground into powder, diluted with medicinal excipients and then mixed with 75% ethanol and binder to prepare a paste for 3D printing. The dose and physicochemical properties of divided tablets were controlled by setting print parameters and printing models in computer software. Different 3D printers were employed to evaluate the impact of the device on the dosing tablet. Two drugs were dosed in this study to explore the scalability of 3D printing technology between different drugs. The drug content of the three divided dose tablets (warfarin sodium 1 mg, 2 mg, hydrochlorothiazide 5 mg) was 1.02±0.03, 1.96±0.01, 5.19±0.06 mg. The content uniformity was 1.0, 5.3, 2.6, respectively. The drug dissolution rate was (99.3±1.2)%, (101.5±0.3)%, (98.1±0.8)% in 45, 45 and 30 min. The mechanical properties of the three sub-doses and the stability within 30 days were in line with the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2015) requirements. At the same time, it was found that the printing parameters and prescriptions can affect the properties of the divided dose tablets. By controlling the dilution ratio of commercial drug and printing parameters, the drug release rate can be customized to achieve individualized treatment. Both different modes of 3D printers can produce qualified sub-doses, and 3D print dispensing technology was also versatile between the two drugs. 3D printing can prepare small-volume, high-precision, high-repetition dosing tablets, with all properties in compliance with pharmacopoeia regulations. Thus, this method can be used as a new and scalable sub-dosing method.