Can medicines be 3D-printed?

Aprecia Pharmaceuticals’ Spritam (levetiracetam), an anti-epileptic drug, is the first and only 3D-printed pharmaceutical. It received the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval in 2015 and is made using Aprecia’s proprietary ZipDose technology.

Are 3D-printed drugs the future of personalized medicine?

“3D printing could give rise to personalized medicine where medication can be customized to an individual’s needs to make it more effective and safer,” says Ms. Mannan. “This means many aspects of thedrug can be customized to better suit theindividual, such as size and dosage.

How are pharmaceutical companies using 3D printing?

3D printing can revolutionize the production of pharmaceuticals that target the gastrointestinal tract by offering a flexible drug manufacturing platform that can be adapted in response to changing markets and patient needs.

What type of 3D printing is used in medicine?

3D printing in medicine can be used to print organ models. These could also be helpful for patient education and pre-operative planning for surgeons. Just recently, scientists are using a combination of MRI and ultrasound imaging along with 3D-printing technology to help doctors prepare for fetal surgeries.

What was the first 3D-printed drug approved by the FDA?

Spritam
3D printing makes an easier-to-swallow drug The first 3D-printed drug to receive approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is now being shipped to pharmacies. Pennsylvania-based Aprecia Pharmaceuticals said its 3D-printed Spritam (levetiracetam) tablets are used to treat epilepsy.

How much does a medical 3D printer cost?

$5,000 to $50,000
For example, 3D printing is capable of improving existing surgical procedures and can assist with organ transplantation. The average 3D printer can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $50,000, depending on how complex the machine is.

What is the medical future of 3D printing?

3D printing is used for the development of new surgical cutting and drill guides, prosthetics as well as the creation of patient-specific replicas of bones, organs, and blood vessels. Recent advances of 3D printing in healthcare have led to lighter, stronger and safer products, reduced lead times and lower costs.