A review on the colours, flavours and shapes used in paediatric 3D printed oral solid dosage forms

This review aims at gleaning the currently available research reports that relate to 3D printlets for paediatric patients, and especially the excipients used to produce various colours, flavours, shapes and sizes. A thorough literature review on paediatric 3D printed oral solid dosage forms, focusing on the use of colours, flavours and various shapes/dimensions, was conducted with an adjusted time frame between 2017 and 2022. 3D printlets for paediatric population include the chewable dosage forms (including solid forms and the soft forms or gummies), the swallowing dosage forms, and the orodispersable dosage forms (printlets or films). Researchers have tested many colours, flavours, shapes and dimensions for the chewable formulations production using pectin and gelatin to create gummies or chocolate and cereals. Scientists have also used many methods and excipients to produce printlets with various colours, flavours, shapes and small sizes (minitablets or minicaplets) for the swallowing dosage forms. Concerning the orodispersables, the research was rather limited. Compared to conventional oral dosage form manufacturing processes, 3D printing techniques use a different approach. More specifically, these techniques can provide personalisation of dose, shape, size, taste, colour and appropriate drug release rates, which is of paramount importance especially for paediatric patients. With the correct excipients the printlets can serve as ideal dosage forms candidates for the treatment of the paediatric population.