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Review
. 2024 Jan 30;16(3):386.
doi: 10.3390/polym16030386.

Status of Polymer Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)-Based Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP) in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Heba Iqbal  1 , Queenie Fernandes  2 , Sourour Idoudi  1 , Renuka Basineni  1 , Nashiru Billa  1
Affiliations
Review

Status of Polymer Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)-Based Three-Dimensional Printing (3DP) in the Pharmaceutical Industry

Heba Iqbal et al. Polymers (Basel). .

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing (3DP) is arguably a versatile and more efficient way for the production of solid dosage forms such as tablets. Of the various 3DP technologies currently available, fused deposition modeling (FDM) includes unique characteristics that offer a range of options in the production of various types of tablets. For example, amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs), enteric-coated tablets or poly pills can be produced using an appropriate drug/polymer combination during FDM 3DP. The technology offers the possibility of evolving personalized medicines into cost-effective production schemes at pharmacies and hospital dispensaries. In this review, we highlight key FDM features that may be exploited for the production of tablets and improvement of therapy, with emphasis on gastrointestinal delivery. We also highlight current constraints that must be surmounted to visualize the deployment of this technology in the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries.

Keywords: amorphous solid dispersion; fused deposition modeling; pharmaceutical; polymer; solubility; three-dimensional printing.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Solubility-enhancing approaches and disadvantages.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Polymer fused deposition modeling (FDM)-linked hot melt extrusion (HME).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Red shade: drug in soluble polymer (PVA); blue shade: water-insoluble PLA filler only. (a) ASD surrounded by insoluble PLA in dosage form; (b) ASD adjacent to insoluble PLA in dosage form; (c) Insoluble PLA surrounded by ASD. * (Reproduced with permission from reference [59]).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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