Fabrication of three-dimensional-printed ofloxacin gastric floating sustained-release tablets with different structures

The objective of this study was to develop a novel ofloxacin gastric floating system with different internal structures by paste extrusion printing and to explore the relationship between tablets with different structures and the release behavior and floating time. The gastric floating sustained release tablets consisted of conventional sustained release pharmaceutical excipients without the addition of foaming agent or light materials. First, the proper alcohol/water proportion was determined for the binding agent. The desired drug release behavior was obtained through modification of the composition of the formulation. In vitro, printed tablets with different structures were evaluated based on drug release, lag time, and floating duration time. Analysis of the floating state data revealed that different internal structures have a significant effect on the floating time. Analysis of the dissolution data of these tablets reveals that the release behavior and release mechanism of tablets with different structures are very similar. DSC, XRD and FTIR data reveal that the drug still exists in crystalline form and that no obvious interaction occurs between the drug and excipients. All these results showed that 3D printing offers unique advantages for the generation of gastric floating preparations, and this method can adjust the floating time without altering the release behavior.