3D-Printed Multicompartment Tablet with Dual Drug Release Based on Fused Deposition Modeling

Introduction:Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an emerging and rapidly advancing technology in the pharmaceutical field. Among the various 3D printing techniques, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is widely adopted due to its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ability to fabricate complex geometries. This versatile manufacturing approach enables the development of personalized drug delivery systems with precise dosing and controlled drug release.Objective:The primary objective of this study was to develop a 3D-printed multicompartment tablet capable of delivering two drugs with distinct release profiles—caffeine for immediate release and paracetamol for sustained release. The research focused on utilizing a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based reservoir system to regulate drug release through design modifications.Materials and Methods:Multicompartment tablets were fabricated using an FDM-based 3D printer with PVA as the polymer matrix. Caffeine and paracetamol were incorporated as active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Tablet designs were created using computer-aided design (CAD) software and processed through Cura Ultimaker 4.4 for slicing and printing.Results:The printed tablets were evaluated for weight variation, hardness, friability, and in vitro drug release. Among the three formulations tested, batch F3 showed optimal performance. It demonstrated complete release of caffeine within 60 minutes and sustained release of paracetamol over 240 minutes from the PVA reservoir.Conclusion:This study confirms the potential of 3D printing technology to produce complex, multi-drug delivery systems with customizable release profiles. Such systems offer promising advantages in reducing dosing frequency and improving patient compliance through personalized therapeutic solutions.