Excipients in Pharmaceutical Additive Manufacturing: A Comprehensive Exploration of Polymeric Material Selection for Enhanced 3D Printing

Abstract

This review provides a comprehensive overview of additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D-printing (3DP) applications in the pharmaceutical industry, with a particular focus on the critical role of polymer selection. By providing insights into how material properties influence the 3DP process and the quality of the final product, this review aims to contribute to a better understanding of the interplay between polymers and pharmaceutical 3DP. As 3DP technologies are increasingly integrated into pharmaceutical sciences, this review contributes insights into the nuanced process of polymer selection, serving mainly as a foundational guide for researchers and formulators new to the subject seeking to harness the full potential of pharmaceutical 3DP by understanding the physicochemical properties, roles, and functions of used polymers in 3D-printed dosage forms and medical devices.

Keywords

• 3D printing
• critical material properties
• polymers
• cellulosics
• vinylpyrrolidone
• bioresorbable polymers