Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
3rd International Gazi Pharma Symposium Series, Ankara, Türkiye, 8 - 09 Eylül 2021, ss.143
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) is the most recently researched 3DP method for solid
dosage forms. It has a huge potential in producing tablets with different release properties
by changing the formulation components or printing parameters[1-3]. This study aims to
investigate the effect of infill density and tablet geometry on the disintegration of the
fluticasone propionate (FLT) loaded 3D printed sustained-release tablets containing ethyl
cellulose (EC) as the main polymer. FLT-loaded filaments were extruded using a singlescrew extruder (Noztek-Pro, UK). Mechanical and morphological properties of filaments were
determined visually and manually. The drug loading amount were calculated with HPLC.
Structural integrity and homogeneity were demonstrated by SEM. Filaments were printed
to form tablets with two different infill percentages (25%, 50%) and geometries (roundshaped, donut-shaped) using an FDM-3D Printer (Craftboat 3, Hungary). Tablet quality tests
were performed in the round-shaped with %50 infill density. 3D Printed tablets were
compared with the disintegration times in pH 6.8 (n=3, Pharmatest, Germany). Neither the
round-shaped nor donut-shaped tablets with 50% infill percentage did not completely
disintegrate in 24 hours. The round-shaped tablets with a 25% infill percentage started to
delaminate after six hours and largely disintegrated in 24 hours. Consequently, the donutshaped tablets having hollows in the middle did not accelerate the disintegration, while the
infill density was significantly affected the disintegration rate. Accordingly, 50% infill density
was not found appropriate for a sustained-release since not disintegrating in a daylong,
while the 25% infill may be suitable. The results must be supported by dissolution tests