Formulation and evaluation of semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D-printed drug preparations using poloxamers and polyethylene oxide as co-printed carrier polymers

Semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing offers a versatile platform for preparing personalised pharmaceutical dosage forms. We investigated the applicability of the three different grades of poloxamers combined with polyethylene oxide (PEO) in pharmaceutical SSE 3D printing. The binary mixtures of poloxamers (F68, F87, and F108) and PEO at a ratio of 55:45 (w/w) were used in preparing the aqueous gels for SSE 3D printing. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) was used as a model drug in the concentrations 5%, 7%, and 9% (w/w). The physicochemical properties, printability, geometric accuracy, structural fidelity, and in-vitro drug-release behaviour of SSE 3D-printed 4 × 4 grids and axially perforated tablets were studied. We found that poloxamer F108 as a co-printed carrier polymer (with PEO) formed high-viscosity gels, which were feasible for SSE 3D-printing. The poloxamer F68- and F87-based gel formulations in turn showed reduced print fidelity. FTIR spectroscopy analysis confirmed compatibility between ASA, PEO, and all three poloxamers studied. The SSE 3D-printed grid preparations exhibited immediate-release behaviour with an initial burst release of the drug (ASA), followed by a diffusion- and erosion-controlled drug release in vitro. The release rates decreased in order of poloxamer grade: F87 > F68 > F108. Overall, poloxamer grade F108 was the most feasible carrier polymer to be combined with PEO for the SSE 3D printing of ASA-loaded dosage forms. The present poloxamer and PEO co-printed formulations provide an alternative printing platform for aqueous-based SSE 3D printing of immediate-release oral drug preparations applicable in personalized medicine or compounding settings.