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From 'fixed dose combinations' to 'a dynamic dose combiner': 3D printed bi-layer antihypertensive tablets
Muzna Sadia1, Abdullah Isreb1, Ibrahim Abbadi1
1School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK.
Summary
This study developed flexible hypertension drug combinations using 3D printing. The novel bilayer tablets offer patient-specific dosing, improving compliance over fixed-dose combinations.
Area of Science:
- Pharmaceutical Technology
- Drug Delivery Systems
- 3D Printing in Medicine
Background:
- Hypertension treatment often requires multiple drugs, but fixed-dose combinations (FDCs) lack individualized dosing flexibility.
- Poor patient compliance with multiple daily tablets necessitates innovative drug delivery solutions.
- Current FDCs restrict dose titration, hindering personalized hypertension management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To fabricate flexible dose combinations of anti-hypertensive drugs using 3D printing.
- To create patient-specific bilayer tablets with adjustable enalapril maleate (EM) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) doses.
- To evaluate the physicochemical properties and drug release profiles of the 3D-printed tablets.
Main Methods:
- Utilized dual fused deposition modelling (FDM) 3D printing to create bilayer tablets.
- Produced EM and HCT loaded filaments via hot-melt extrusion (HME).
- Employed computer software for designing individualized dose tablet sets and performed thermal analysis and XRD.
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated bilayer tablets with a range of enalapril maleate and hydrochlorothiazide doses.
- Hydrochlorothiazide remained crystalline, while enalapril maleate was amorphous within the polymeric matrix.
- Methacrylate polymer facilitated immediate drug release, demonstrating a dynamic dosing system.
Conclusions:
- 3D-printed flexible dose combinations offer an optimal clinical solution for hypertension therapy.
- This patient-centric approach overcomes the limitations of fixed-dose combinations.
- The developed system enhances therapeutic flexibility and patient compliance.