3D printing of customized all-starch tablets with combined release kinetics

Starch-based tablets with tailored releases were prepared by 3D printing using a hydrophobic drug. The importance of the origin of the excipient in the inks and tablets was analyzed. Besides, the effect of the geometry of the tablet on the drug release profile was also evaluated. The rheological properties of the inks was influenced by the botanic origin of the starch. Consequently, tablets presented different microporous structure and particular compression and swelling behaviors. Normal maize starch showed a non-well-defined porous morphology, not being able to form a stable structure whereas, waxy maize and potato starches exhibited a welldefined porous structure and were both able to maintain their integrity after long time immersion. Finally, tablets combining different starches and geometries were printed tailoring the drug release from 10 min to 6 h and designing two-steps profiles. The applicability of the developed 3D printed drug release systems in personalized therapies was demonstrated.

Automated summary

Starch-based tablets with tailored releases were prepared using 3D printing, and the importance of excipient origin as well as the effect of tablet geometry on drug release were analyzed. Different origins of starch influenced the rheological properties of inks, resulting in tablets with different microporous structures and compression and swelling behaviors. Tablets combining different starches and geometries were able to tailor the drug release and demonstrate applicability in personalized therapies.