Preparation and in vitro evaluation of FDM 3D printed theophylline tablets with personalized dosage

To explore the feasibility of preparing different doses of tablets for personalized treatment by fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing technology, and to evaluate the quality of the FDM 3D printed tablets. Three different sizes of hollow tablets were prepared by fused deposition modeling 3D printing technology with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) filaments. Theophylline was chosen as the model drug. In the study, 20 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg of theophylline was filled into the cavity of the tablets, respectively. The microscopic morphology of the tablets was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The weight variation of the tablets was investigated by weighing method. The hardness of the tablets was measured by tablet hardness tester. The contents of the drugs in the tablets were determined by ultraviolet and visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), and the dissolution apparatus was used to assay the drug release of the tablets. The prepared FDM 3D printed tablets were all in good shape without printing defects.