APPLICATION OF SOLID DISPERSION IN CONJUNCTION WITH 3D PRINTING FOR PERSONALIZED MEDICINE

Abstract

Poorly water-soluble drugs accounts for 40% of the newly discovered APIs due to their lipophilic nature. Hence, to benefit from the therapeutic effects of such drugs requires administration of higher doses. However, administration of high doses could cause side effects to the patient as pharmacological response of the drugs varies person to person depending on their physiological or pharmacokinetic factors and most importantly their genetic predisposition. Due to which the need of improving the solubility of the poorly-water soluble drugs and personalization of doses needs to be addressed to achieve the maximum pharmacological effect of the drug along with reduced toxicity. This study aims to improve the solubility of the BCS class II drug Ibuprofen through solid dispersion by freeze drying process and to manufacture continuous doses using additive manufacturing technique (AMT) and subsequently the release of the drug from the 3D printed tablet. Solubility study showed an improvement in the solubility of the drug in water and the drug content analysis showed different concentrations of the drug in the two sized tablets. The formulations were optimized in comparison to ibuprofen only in the same solubility and dissolution medium. Physical and structural characterization of the solid dispersion, filaments and tablets were investigated using FTIR, XRD, DSC and SEM. In vitro drug release illustrated controlled release profile of Ibuprofen over the period of 24 hours. Thus, solid dispersion and 3D printing can be considered as a reliable techniques to manufacture continuous doses for ibuprofen with the improved solubility.