Medical tech is a huge market where 3D printing is attempting to make a splash, and now we have another first for the industry.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved its first-ever 3D-printed medication.

The drug is called Spritam, and it’s used in the treatment of seizures.

Spritam is a “prescription adjunctive therapy in the treatment of partial
onset seizures, myoclonic seizures and primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures in
adults and children with epilepsy,” according to Aprecia Pharmaceuticals.

The 3D printing tech allows Aprecia to produce a pill that’s easier to administer.

Spritam utilizes Aprecia’s proprietary ZipDose Technology platform, a groundbreaking advance that uses three-dimensional printing (3DP) to produce a porous formulation that rapidly disintegrates with a sip of liquid.

“By combining 3DP technology with a highly-prescribed epilepsy treatment, SPRITAM is
designed to fill a need for patients who struggle with their current medication
experience,” said Don Wetherhold, Chief Executive Officer of Aprecia. “This is the first in
a line of central nervous system products Aprecia plans to introduce as part of our
commitment to transform the way patients experience taking medication.”

The drug will become available in early 2016. 3D printing has been used to create medical devices and models, but this is the first time a medication has ever received full FDA approval.