Opioid Alternative Market Share, Growth, Opportunities 2031

Report Description

The global opioid alternative market size was USD 42.2 Bn in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 75.9 Bn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 6.62% during 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to the rising demand for instant pain relief solutions.

An opioid alternative is a group of pain-relieving drugs that are used to manage acute pain, including post-surgery pain, chronic pain, and cancer pain. It includes injections, medications, physical therapy, and neuromodulation.

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Opioid alternatives consist of various agents such as acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory to control inflammation. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directed non-opioid pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies as first-line treatment for chronic pain, arthritis, serious headache, and neuropathic pain.  

Stringent regulatory guidelines on the prescription of opioid drugs contribute to market expansion. For instance, as per the report published by the National Library of Medicine in July 2021, 39 states in the US imposed limitations on the usage of opioid prescription, of which 14 states imposed limits on the dosage of opioids, ranging from 30 morphine milligrams equivalents (MME) to a 120 MME daily maximum.

The COVID-19 pandemic hampered the opioid alternative market. The market growth decreased, owing to a sharp decline in the demand from hospitals, due to a reduction in the number of surgeries performed.

The National Library of Medicine claims that 91% of the reduction was seen in the number of elective surgeries during the pandemic. Moreover, people faced with limited access to pharmacies due to the complete lockdown that overblown the opioid alternative market.

Opioid Alternative Market Dynamics

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Major Drivers

Growing awareness about the drawback of opioid drugs is expected to boost the demand for opioid alternatives. Overdose of opioid drugs slows down breathing rate and makes one feel sleepy, which can lead to death.

Moreover, the widespread of osteoarthritis that is ignited by obesity, genetics, metabolic illness, joint injury, and the aging population is anticipated to drive the market during the forecast period.

• According to the data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2021, there were an estimated 107,622 deaths in the US, due to overdose of opioid drugs.

• According to the article published in the National Library of Medicine, the consumption of opioid drugs increases the risk of pneumonia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and suppresses the immune system among patients with opioid use disorders.

Existing Restraints

Several side effects associated with the use of non-opioid drugs are a major factor restraining the market. Dry mouth and constipation are the common side effects of opioid alternative analgesics. Overuse of NSAIDs increases the risk of ulcers in the stomach, liver, and kidney, as well as cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, a lack of awareness about opioid alternatives in rural areas is expected to hinder the market in the coming years.

Emerging Opportunities

Several limitations on the use of opioid drugs are anticipated to create immense growth opportunities in the market during the forecast period. The opioid drug causes nausea, respiratory depression, vomiting, and mortality, which encouraged consumers to limit their use and increase the adoption of non-opioid alternatives. For instance, on September 16, 2020, the National Cancer Institute stated that oncologists’ prescriptions for the opioid drug decreased by 21%, due to its serious adverse effects.

Scope of Opioid Alternative Market Report

The market report includes an assessment of the market, trends, segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Opioid Alternative Market Segment Insights

Product Type Segment Analysis

In terms of product type, the opioid alternative market is categorized into non-opioid analgesics, antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical analgesics. The non-opioid analgesics segment is estimated to hold a major market share during the projection period, due to the increasing usage to treat pain.

It is widely used as a first-line therapy substitute to treat chronic pain. Ease of availability over the counter and no need for a doctor prescription to buy non-opioid drugs are further likely to fuel the segment in the coming years.

The topical analgesic segment is projected to expand at a robust growth rate during the forecast period, as it provides instant relief from minor pain and skeletomuscular pain by reducing inflammation. Topicals are available in the form of sprays, gels, creams, and lotions, which are absorbed by the skin and act as tissue beneath.

• In 2017, the National Health of Institute (NIH) stated that topical analgesic reduces the pain of strain and sprain or muscle aches within a week.

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Drug Type Segment Analysis

Based on drug type, the market is divided into NSAIDs, acetaminophen, and local anesthetics. The NSAIDs segment held a large market share in 2022 and is expected to expand at a considerable CAGR during the assessment period, owing to the wide availability of NSAIDs at a low cost.

NSAIDs are considered as over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, as it does not require a doctor prescription to buy. It is widely used to treat arthritis, colds & flu, sprains, and headaches. Moreover, rising approvals for NSAIDs are likely to fuel the segment in the coming years.

• On March 2, 2020, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Advil dual action medicine as an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine in the US to treat patients with tooth pain.

The acetaminophen segment is projected to grow at a significant pace during the forecast period, owing to the growing adoption of acetaminophen drugs to treat mild to moderate pain. It is commonly known as paracetamol in many countries. It is used to cure cold, cough, muscle aches, sore throats, and toothaches. Furthermore, the rising usage of acetaminophen in prescribed medicine is likely to propel the segment in the coming years.

• The number of acetaminophen prescriptions reached around 5.6 million in 2020 for treating fever and pain.

Application Segment Analysis

On the basis of application, the opioid alternative market is segregated into chronic pain, pain management, post-surgery pain, cancer pain, and others. The chronic pain segment is projected to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period, due to increasing incidence of neuropathic pain and osteoarthritis.

Non-opioid drugs bind to receptors in the body or brain to reduce the intensity of pain signals reaching the brain.For instance, the National Library of Medicine claimed that around 7% of population across the globe suffers from neuropathic pain. Thus, the rising incidence of neuropathic pain is expected to drive the market during the forecast period.

The post-surgery pain segment is expected to dominate the market in the coming years, owing to the increasing number of surgeries performed such as bariatric surgery and endocrine surgery. Post-surgery pain is controlled through various opioid alternative drugs to increase recovery and reduce the complication of blood clots.

• According to data published by the National Library of Medicine in 2020, about 11% of the global burden of disease requires anesthesia management or surgical care.

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Distribution Channel Segment Analysis

In terms of distribution channel, the market is bifurcated into offline and online. The offline segment is further divided into hospital pharmacy and retail pharmacy. The offline segment is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period, due to the rising number of retail pharmacies in developing countries.

The segment growth is further attributed to the easy access and wide availability of opioid alternative analgesic drugs at a low cost in the retail pharmacy. However, the online segment is expected to grow at a significant pace in the coming years, owing to the growing popularity of tele pharmacy.

Route of Administration Segment Analysis

Based on route of administration, the opioid alternative market is classified as oral, topical, and injectable. The oral segment dominated the market in 2021 and is estimated to hold a large market share during the forecast period, due to the wide availability of non-opioid medicines that is taken orally to cure pain. Increasing usage of NSAIDs in prescription medicines is further likely to contribute to segment growth in the coming years.

The injectable segment is expected to grow quickly during the forecast period, owing to the increasing usage of hydrocortisone and pentazocine injections to treat various pain. Hydrocortisone injections are used to treat painful tendons and bursitis, while pentazocine injections are used to relieve moderate to severe pain. The rising adoption of various anesthetics injections during surgeries to numb the area is likely to fuel the market in the coming years.

End-user Segment Analysis

On the basis of end-user, the market is fragmented into hospitals, clinics, and home healthcare. The hospital segment is anticipated to dominate the market during the forecast period, owing to the wide adoption of non-opioid drugs in various diseases. Moreover, the rising number of elective surgeries performed in the hospital is expected to drive the segment in the coming years.

The home healthcare segment is projected to expand at a rapid pace during the forecast period, due to the growing demand for personalized healthcare services. Furthermore, opioid alternative drugs are widely and easily available in retail pharmacies and are taken at home without a prescription to cure pain and inflammation.

Regional Outlook

In terms of region, the global opioid alternative market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. North America held a large market share in 2022, due to the high adoption of NSAIDs and government initiatives to reduce the usage of opioids use in the region.

The market in Asia-Pacific is anticipated to expand at a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, owing to the increasing incidence of chronic pain and the commercialization of several non-opioid analgesics in the region. For instance, Neurofront received a license to develop and commercialize NRD.E1 in Singapore and China. NRD.E1 is non-opioid drug developed to treat painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

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