Design and Characterization of Baricitinib Incorporated PLA 3D Printed Pills by Fused Deposition Modeling: An Oral Pill for Treating Alopecia Areata

Abstract

This study aimed to develop three-dimensional (3D) baricitinib (BAB) pills using polylactic acid (PLA) by fused deposition modeling. Two strengths of BAB (2 and 4% w/v) were dissolved into the (1:1) PEG-400 individually, diluting it with a solvent blend of acetone and ethanol (27.8:18:2) followed by soaking the unprocessed 200 cm~6157.94 mg PLA filament in the solvent blend acetone—ethanol. FTIR spectrums of the 3DP1 and 3DP2 filaments calculated and recognized drug encapsulation in PLA. Herein, 3D-printed pills showed the amorphousness of infused BAB in the filament, as indicated by DSC thermograms. Fabricated pills shaped like doughnuts increased the surface area and drug diffusion. The releases from 3DP1 and 3DP2 were found to be 43.76 ± 3.34% and 59.14 ± 4.54% for 24 h. The improved dissolution in 3DP2 could be due to the higher loading of BAB due to higher concentration. Both pills followed Korsmeyer–Peppas’ order of drug release. BAB is a novel JAK inhibitor that U.S. FDA has recently approved to treat alopecia areata (AA). Therefore, the proposed 3D printed tablets can be easily fabricated with FDM technology and effectively used in various acute and chronic conditions as personalized medicine at an economical cost.