Innovations in Chewable Formulations: The Novelty and Applications of 3D Printing in Drug Product Design
Since their introduction, chewable dosage forms have gained traction due to their ability to facilitate swallowing, especially in paediatric, geriatric and dysphagia patients. Their benefits stretch beyond human use to also include veterinary applications, improving administration and palatability in different animal species. Despite their advantages, current chewable formulations do not account for individualised dosing and palatability preferences. In light of this, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and in particular the semi-solid extrusion technology, has been suggested as a novel manufacturing method for producing customised chewable dosage forms. This advanced approach offers flexibility for selecting patient-specific doses, excipients, and organoleptic properties, which are critical for ensuring efficacy, safety and adherence to the treatment. This review provides an overview of the latest advancements in chewable dosage forms for human and veterinary use, highlighting the motivations behind their use and covering formulation considerations, as well as regulatory aspects.
| Excipient | Function(s) | Example(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Sweeteners | Mask unpleasant taste, microbial stability | Polyols (mannitol, sorbitol, xylitol), sugars (dextrose, lactose, sucrose, saccharine, sucralose), aspartame |
| Flavouring agents | Mask unpleasant taste | Fruit-based agents (mint, strawberry) |
| Colourants | Enhance aesthetic appeal, identification of the product, mask non-uniform colour, match the flavour | Powder-based colourants |
| Diluents | Increase the bulk volume | Polyols |
| pH regulators | Acidity modifiers | Citric acid, malic acid |
| Gelling agents | Initiate gelation | Gelatine, cellulose derivatives, starch, pectin, carrageenan, alginate, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, collagen and gellan gum |
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Rodríguez-Pombo, L.; Awad, A.; Basit, A.W.; Alvarez-Lorenzo, C.; Goyanes, A. Innovations in Chewable Formulations: The Novelty and Applications of 3D Printing in Drug Product Design. Pharmaceutics 2022, 14, 1732. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics14081732