Title:Preparation of Loratadine Orally Disintegrating Tablets by Semi-solid
Extrusion 3D Printing
Volume: 20
Issue: 6
Author(s): Shaoling Yi, Jingwen Xie*, Lingli Chen and Feng Xu
Affiliation:
- Department of Pharmacy, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, No. 26
Yuancunerheng Road, Guangzhou 510655, China
Keywords:
Semi-solid extrusion, 3D printing, loratadine, orally disintegrating tablets, customized, FTIR.
Abstract:
Background: The orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) are especially suitable for elders and
children with dysphagia, who need to be given customized dosages.
Objectives: This study aimed to prepare orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) which can be customized
as drug content by using semi-solid 3D printing pressure extrusion technology, with water insoluble and
thermally unstable drug loratadine.
Methods: The influence of binder concentration, disintegrating agent dosage and ratio mannitol: cellulose
on formability and disintegration time was investigated. The properties of orally disintegrating
tablets were investigated by ATR-FTIR, XRPD, DSC and SEM. The correlation formula between tablet
bottom area and drug content was established.
Results: The formulation was optimized, and contained loratadine 3 g, cellulose 4 g, mannitol 2 g, carboxy
methyl starch sodium 1g, 6% PVP K30 16 ml. The disintegration time was less than 60 s with
infilling percentage of 60%, and the disintegration time was less than 30 s with infilling percentage of
40%. There was no detectable interaction between loratadine and the selected excipients by the analysis
of ATR-FTIR, DSC and XRPD. The structure of the tablets was porous, and the drug was dissolved
completely within 10 min. The drug content (x) of the tablet and the bottom area (y) of the tablet showed
a linear fitting relationship, y = 3.8603x - 0.7176, r2 = 0.9993.
Conclusion: Semi-solid extrusion of 3D printing technology was applied to prepare loratadine orally
disintegrating tablets with customized drug content, which provides an alternative method for the research
of customized preparation.