Work

Beyond Dysphagia in Parkinson’s Disease: 3D Printing of Orally Disintegrating Tablets (ODTs) for Optimized Treatment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is frequently complicated by dysphagia, undermining timely and reliable oral dopaminergic medication. Levodopa’s short half-life and delayed gastric emptying in advanced PD result in inconsistent absorption, delayed “ON” periods, and challenges to adherence. Orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) dissolve without water and can mitigate swallowing limitations. Research indicates that selegiline ODT achieves a faster time to peak and higher relative bioavailability via partial buccal absorption, whereas carbidopa/levodopa ODTs are bioequivalent to immediate release tablets (with similar AUC/Cmax and approximately 1 h Tmax) without consistent motor advantages but with higher patient acceptability. This review synthesizes the clinical burden of dysphagia in PD, pharmacokinetic constraints of current formulations, and the reasons for ODTs. We highlight 3D printing as a route to personalized, dysphagia friendly therapy, which enables dose individualization, polypills, engineered disintegration or release, and point-of-care production. Feasibility studies underscore stability considerations such as carbidopa, throughput and regulatory requirements (QbD/GMP), and bioequivalence information. We outline priorities to integrate 3D printed ODTs into PD care, aligning formulation, pharmacokinetics, and human factors to improve adherence and clinical outcomes.

Source: Pharmaceuticals

DOI: 10.3390/ph18121886

Authors: Ying-Ju Liao, Yao-Jen Liang

Institutions: National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Fu Jen Catholic University

Language: English

Topic: Additive Manufacturing and 3D Printing Technologies

Subfield: Automotive Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,499