The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a three-dimensional (3D) printed drug, Spritam (levetiracetam), for the treatment of seizures in adults and children with epilepsy. Drug-maker, Aprecia Pharmaceuticals Company, reported yesterday it is the first company to use this technology to develop and manufacture an approved drug at commercial scale.

Privately-owned Aprecia said it plans to introduce multiple products using its ZipDose Technology, focusing first on central nervous system drugs. The technology, which originated in part at MIT, makes use of 3D printing to manufacture a porous formulation that rapidly disintegrates with a sip of liquid. The company holds an exclusive license for pharmaceutical applications of the technology, which enables a high drug load, up to 1,000 mg in a single dose.

This innovation enhances patient experience, the company stated in a press release. Children and the elderly may have trouble swallowing a large pill or taking multiple pills throughout the day. In a recent survey of epilepsy patients, more than half (66 percent) admitted having missed or skipped a dose of seizure medication during the past month. Failure to take anti-epileptic drugs could result in seizures. Even the largest strengths of the new 3D printed drug will dissolve with a mere sip of liquid, Aprecia said, and no measuring is required since each dose is individually packaged. 

Spritam is expected to be available in the first quarter of 2016.