Preparation of acetaminophen tablets by 3D printing technology / 国际药学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To prepare acetaminophen tablets by hot-melt extrusion 3D printing technique. Methods:The acetaminophen tablets were prepared by the direct combination of hot-melt extrusion technology and 3D printing. Soluplus was used as hot-melt matrix and PEG6000 as plasticizer. The physical properties and molecular structure of the materials in the tablets were investigated, and in vitro release of the tablets was studied. Results:The printing of acetaminophen tablets was completed successfully, and the size, internal structure and shape of the tablets could be changed by 3D printing technology. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that all materials could maintain thermal stability at printing temperature. The results of crystal form study showed that all materials solidified in a amorphous form after the hot-melt 3D printing. The IR, Raman, MS and 1 H NMR data showed that the molecular structure of acetaminophen kept unchanged after the 3D printing. The in vitro release studies showed that the release of printed tablets could achieve over 80% within 24 h in the pH 6.8 phosphate buffer medium, by adding the disintegrating agent, kolidon cl-F, and changing the path spacing and shell numbers in the printing process. Conclusion:The acetaminophen tablets could be prepared by the hot-melt extrusion 3D printing technology, and the release of the tablets could be adjusted by the change of printing-related parameters.