Preparation of hydrochlorothiazide tablets for 3D printing and effects of adhesives on the printability of printed tablets

Purpose: This study aims to explore the influence of binders on the quality of three-dimensional (3D)-printed tablets using extrusion-based freeforming technology and develop tablets containing 10 mg of the active pharmaceutical ingredient hydrochlorothiazide (HCT).Method: Six binders were examined by charactering excipient tablets, including their appearance, diameter, thickness, hardness, weight, and density. Tablets containing 10 mg HCT and a suitable binder were printed, and the printing paste containing HCT was tested. The mass variation, drug content and content uniformity, drug disintegration time, in vitro dissolution, and stability of printed HCT tablets were investigated.Results: Binders directly influenced the printability of the printing paste and the characterization of 3D-printed tablets. Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose at 8 % concentration was better than other binders when excipient tablets were prepared by 3D printing. The drug content of 3D-printed 10 mg HCT tablets was 98.69 % ± 1.80 % of the target dose, the drug content uniformity was 5.27. The drug was stable after one month when stored at 25°C±2 °C with 60 % ± 10 % relative humidity.Conclusions: Tablets with accurate dosage can be prepared using 3D printing technology. Binders affected the quality of 3D- printed tablets by influencing the properties of the printing paste.