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Cereal-Based 3D Printed Dosage Forms for Drug Administration During Breakfast in Pediatric Patients within a Hospital

Christina Karavasili1, Paola Zgouro1, Natalia Manousi2

  • 1Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, GR 54124, Greece.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
|April 26, 2022
PubMed

Insights

This study developed 3D printed cereal to administer medication to pediatric patients, improving adherence by integrating drugs into breakfast. The 3D printed cereal successfully dispersed ibuprofen and paracetamol, enhancing drug delivery.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmaceutical Technology
  • Materials Science
  • Pediatric Medicine

Background:

  • Hospitalized pediatric patients often face challenges with medication adherence due to unpalatable dosage forms.
  • Automated, user-friendly drug preparation methods are needed for healthcare providers.
  • Integrating medication into a familiar daily routine, like breakfast, can improve patient compliance.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a child-friendly, 3D-printed cereal dosage form for medication administration in pediatric patients.
  • To create an automated process for preparing drug-loaded cereal for healthcare providers.
  • To assess the physical and chemical properties, drug distribution, and dissolution of the 3D printed cereal.

Main Methods:

  • Semi-solid extrusion 3D printing was used to create drug-loaded cereal ink using cereal as a carrier for ibuprofen and paracetamol.
  • Rheological analysis determined optimal ink viscosity for printing.
  • Confocal Raman microscopy, thermal analysis, and X-ray diffraction assessed drug distribution and crystallinity.
  • Dissolution studies were conducted in biorelevant media under various conditions, including the presence of different milk fat content.

Main Results:

  • The 3D printed cereal successfully achieved molecular dispersion of both hydrophobic ibuprofen and hydrophilic paracetamol.
  • Cereal porosity influenced milk absorption and mechanical properties upon immersion in milk.
  • Dissolution studies showed enhanced ibuprofen release in the presence of higher-fat milk, indicating improved bioavailability for poorly soluble drugs.

Conclusions:

  • 3D printing offers a novel approach to creating palatable and effective medication dosage forms for pediatric patients.
  • Integrating medication into cereal via 3D printing can potentially overcome adherence barriers in hospitalized children.
  • This technology facilitates a user-friendly, automated drug preparation process for healthcare providers, improving efficiency and patient care.

Keywords:
3D printed cerealAutomated compoundingDose personalizationHospital pharmacyPediatric drug delivery

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