The production of 3D-printed
dosage forms requires the preparation of high-quality filaments containing an active
pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The objective of this research is to prepare filaments containing
dronedarone hydrochloride, a
drug used in the treatment of
cardiac arrhythmias. Filaments and 3D-printed
tablets were subjected to characterization methods in order to prove and ensure the stability of the API and preservation of the
drug content. Blends containing different proportions of
dronedarone hydrochloride (DNR),
polyethylene glycol (PEG), and
polyvinyl alcohol filament (PVA) were prepared in two forms: as a
powder mixture and as a solid dispersion. Thermogravimetric analysis was conducted, and the thermal properties of the components and
polymer blends were tested using differential scanning calorimetry. Hot melt extrusion at 170 °C was used to prepare the filaments, and the fused deposition modeling technique was employed to print
tablets. Drug release profiles were obtained by in vitro tests. The results indicate that the mixture containing 10 wt.% of
polyethylene glycol prepared as a solid dispersion exhibits the most straightforward structure and shows only the slightest deviation from the target filament diameter. The compact structure of the
tablet obtained from the filament provides a uniform in vitro drug release over a 24-h period. It also shows the smallest aberration from the expected DNR content in the
tablet. The paper demonstrates that a blend containing 10 wt.% of PEG, 10 wt.% of DNR, and 80 wt.% of PVA filament is the most appropriate formula for extrusion and
tablet printing.