Polymers in Technologies of Additive and Inkjet Printing of Dosage Formulations

Polymers (Basel). 2022 Jun 22;14(13):2543. doi: 10.3390/polym14132543.

Abstract

Technologies for obtaining dosage formulations (DF) for personalized therapy are currently being developed in the field of inkjet (2D) and 3D printing, which allows for the creation of DF using various methods, depending on the properties of pharmaceutical substances and the desired therapeutic effect. By combining these types of printing with smart polymers and special technological approaches, so-called 4D printed dosage formulations are obtained. This article discusses the main technological aspects and used excipients of a polymeric nature for obtaining 2D, 3D, 4D printed dosage formulations. Based on the literature data, the most widely used polymers, their properties, and application features are determined, and the technological characteristics of inkjet and additive 3D printing are shown. Conclusions are drawn about the key areas of development and the difficulties that arise in the search and implementation in the production of new materials and technologies for obtaining those dosage formulations.

Keywords: 2D printing; 3D printing; 4D printing; additive production; dosage formulations; inkjet printing; polymers; smart polymers.

Publication types

  • Review