The Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination market is estimated to be worth USD 3,144.1 million in 2024 and is projected to reach a value of USD 4,522.6 million by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 3.7% over the assessment period of 2024 to 2034
Acetaminophen-opioid combination products are the therapeutic class of medicine that combine paracetamol with opioids analgesics which offers better and enhanced pain relieving effect. These products are commonly prescribed for moderate to severe pain and offers a synergistic effects of both components.
As the opioids are given in combination with paracetamol, the dose-related side effect and dependency on opioids is also minimized. These medications are mostly prescribed for the management of post-surgical pain, injuries-related pain, and other chronic pain that cannot be managed by normal nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
As the prevalence of chronic diseases that cause severe pain such as arthritis increases, the demand for proper pain management solutions also increases.
| Attributes | Description |
|---|---|
| Historical Size, 2023 | USD 3,040.6 million |
| Estimated Size, 2024 | USD 3,144.1 million |
| Projected Size, 2034 | USD 4,522.6 million |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 3.7% |
Among the products, the hydrocodone-acetaminophen segment will hold a dominant value share of 49.8% in the year 2024. This is due to the availability of a large number of products containing this combination.
As the global population ages and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders like arthritis and osteoporosis increases, the demand for orthopedic interventions, such as joint replacements and spinal surgeries, is growing rapidly. Surgical techniques and technologies have developed considerably in recent times.
The latest ones include minimally invasive procedures, which again add to the surge in the number of surgeries. After surgery, patients often experience significant pain as their body starts healing and therefore, effective pain relief becomes very important for both physical and emotional health.
Acetaminophen with an opioid is usually prescribed for the management of post-surgical pain which helps in managing pain effectively and also keeps the opioid dose limited. This combination keeps the dose of opioids low, hence limiting side effects and dependence on opioids.
With the increase in the number of surgeries, like orthopedic surgeries, the demand for adequate and efficient pain management solutions also rises, which is expected to drive the industry’s growth.
In addition, strong physician preference for acetaminophen-opioid combinations is also expected to drive the industry’s growth. Such combination therapies are often favored by physicians because they permit the use of lower opioid doses, which could decrease the risk of addiction and other side effects.
This approach is in line with guidelines provided by the CDC and other bodies that urge physicians to minimize opioid exposure whenever possible.
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High Prevalence of Chronic Pain Fueling Market Growth
Chronic pain is defined as pain that persists for more than 3 months. Chronic pain affects many people worldwide and is also associated with conditions such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and back pain.
The rising prevalence of chronic pain due to medical conditions such as arthritis will increase the demand for long-term pain management products which is expected to drive the industry growth.
For instance, according to the data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in April 2023, there were around 51.5 million people in USA suffering from chronic pain in the year 2021. Moreover, there were around 26.7 million people suffering from chronic pain due to arthritis in the year 2021.
Although NSAID’s are the alternative treatment option for chronic pain and have limited side effects, they are not useful for managing severe post-surgical pain. In such scenarios, acetaminophen-opioid combinations are prescribed more frequently as these drugs can provide a potent way of managing such severe pain.
Awareness regarding chronic pain also ensures that more patients come forward for treatment, thereby increasing the prescription rates of such combination drugs
Development of Abuse-Deterrent Formulations Creates Further Growth Opportunity for the Market
The major opportunities for growth in the acetaminophen-opioid combination market lie in abuse-deterrent formulations, which help address increasing concerns such as opioid misuse and addiction. ADFs have been formulated to discourage, deter, or prevent the most common routes of opioid abuse which is snorting or injecting opioids.
As the opioids crisis is rising the demand for proper opioids-based pain management solutions has increased. Manufacturers can benefit from this growing demand by manufacturing tamper-proof opioid-based combination products. This will expand their product portfolio with unique products giving them some competitive edge.
Recently, various regulatory bodies such as the USA FDA have shown interest in such formulation and is granting fast track designation to such products to encourage its manufacturers. This will also help gain public and medical trust again in opioid-based therapies, which have come under very stiff scrutiny owing to the opioid epidemic.
Companies leading in the innovation of ADF not only stand to acquire market share but also contribute to a safer healthcare landscape.
This benefits patients by effectively providing pain relief with reduced risk of abuse. Thus, the development of abuse-deterrent opioids formulations can open a new window of opportunity to the market players.
Innovation in Pain Management Technologies is a Key Trend in Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination Market
There is a constant race between key players to develop newer combination-based pain management products. One area of key innovation is the development of extended-release formulations that provide analgesic effect for extended duration of time with minimum dose requirement.
These formulations allows a steady and controlled release of the medication and can offer analgesic effects for extended hours.
In addition, the development of abuse-deterrent formulations have also been developed. These new formulation are tamper proof and cannot be adulterated with other ingredients, thus, reducing the chances of its abuse.
Moreover, the researchers have also developed new drug delivery methods such as transdermal patches which deliver the medication directly at the site of pain through a transdermal drug delivery system.
Moreover, pain management has been personalized with the emergence of wearable devices such as watches. These tools help in monitoring real-time patient symptoms, adherence, and response to treatment for timely adaptation of adjustments to pain management strategies.
Opioid Addiction and Misuse May Restrict the Market Growth
One of the major constraining factors of the acetaminophen-opioid combination market is opioid addiction and abuse. Opioids are effective in the management of severe pain, however, they are highly addictive because they act powerfully on the brain's reward system.
When patients use opioid analgesics there is high chances of development of tolerance over time, needing higher and higher doses to achieve the same level of pain relief that can lead to dependence.
Misuse of such mediation such as administration of high doses of opioids or obtaining it by non-prescribed method easily leads to addiction. With broad prescribing and dispensing of opioids, the situation quickly evolved into a public health crisis with steep increases in overdose deaths and cases of OUD in recent years.
This has led to stringent regulatory controls on opioid prescribing, which is now limited to when all other pain control strategies have failed. Thus, this can decrease the adoption of opioid-based combination medication and hinder the industry’s growth.
Furthermore, stigma associated with the use of opioids and fear of addiction may prevent patient from adopting such medication and further restraining industry’s growth.
Global Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination sales increased at a CAGR of 1.7% from 2019 to 2023. For the next ten years (2024 to 2034), projections are that expenditure on Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination will rise at 3.7% CAGR
Previously, acetaminophen-opioid combination therapies were widely used as part of standard therapy in the management of moderate to severe pain. Previously, people had less knowledge regarding the opioids addiction. However, later on the many cases of opioid poisoning and opioids addiction were found.
Now, there are strict guideline regarding opioids use and sales of opioids medication are monitored. Physicians now focus on safer alternatives, including abuse-deterrent formulations, and warn patients to reduce misuse.
Now acetaminophen-opioid combination products are used for treatment of severe pain. Acetaminophen-opioid combinations provide enhanced analgesic effects, making them appealing for treating moderate to severe pain.
Rising prevalence of chronic diseases such as arthritis and back pain will increase the demand for effective pain management solutions such as acetaminophen in combination with opioid.
Such solutions combine the analgesic properties of acetaminophen with the potency of opioids. Moreover, due to the potential risk of dependency on opioids, healthcare providers are increasingly adopting a multimodal pain management strategy that often involves acetaminophen in combination opioid to improve efficacy while potentially reducing opioid dosages and side effects.
In 2020, this industry faced a temporary slowdown in its business due the impact of COVID-19. This was because different categories of businesses were forced to close down by the lockdown imposed by several government authority during the pandemic.
Moreover, the number of hospital visit were also less due travel restraints. However, post-pandemic the industry experienced a gradual growth.
Various other factors are also contributing to the growth of this industry. Factors such as the development of abuse-deterrent formulations, aging population, increase in prescription rates, growing awareness of multimodal pain management and increased focus on patient education and monitoring are contributing to the industry’s expansion.
Principal Consultant
Companies in the Tier 1 sector account for 48.9% of the global market, ranking them as the dominant players in the industry. Tier 1 players offer a wide range of products including Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination and other pharmaceutical products.
These players have an established industry presence, offer continuous innovation, and have a significant influence in the field. Having financial strengths enables them to enhance their research and development efforts and expand into new markets. A strong brand recognition and a loyal customer base provide them with a competitive advantage.
Prominent companies within Tier 1 include Abbott, Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Grünenthal GmbH, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca
Tier 2 players dominate the industry with a 19.3% market share. Tier 2 firms have a strong focus on a specific technology and a substantial presence on the industry, but they have less influence than Tier 1 firms. The players are more competitive when it comes to pricing and target niche markets.
New products and services will also be introduced into the industry by Tier 2 companies. Tier 2 companies include Hamilton Kent., Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P., and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals.
Compared to Tiers 1 and 2, Tier 3 companies offer its products with smaller revenue spouts and less influence. Those in Tier 3 focus primarily on qualitative research and analysis while serving a smaller number of clients. Prominent players are Trio Remedies Pvt Ltd, Laboratoire Riva, KVK Tech, Inc and Others.
| Countries | Value CAGR |
|---|---|
| United States | 3.2% |
| Germany | 3.0% |
| United Kingdom | 3.9% |
| China | 6.0% |
| India | 5.3% |
The USA dominated the global market with a 40.9% market share in 2023 and will show high growth during the forecast period.
The acetaminophen-opioid combination industry is expected to be dominated by the United States because it has a robust healthcare infrastructure for research and development in the medicinal field. Other factors such as the availability of dominant key market players, strong research and development environment and high demand for low dose acetaminophen-opioids combination are factor contributing to growth in the USA
Moreover, high healthcare spending in this country, the availability of easy reimbursement and other factors are responsible for the dominance of the USA Furthermore, high prevalence of chronic pain and a considerable number of surgical procedures performed every year in the USA have further boosted the demand for acetaminophen-opioid combination products in this country.
Overall, these elements support the leading position for the United States in the Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination industry.
In terms of industrial growth and infrastructure development, China is anticipated to be a strong contender, most importantly in the year 2023 the country is projected to show a CAGR of 6.0% between 2024 and 2034.
The increased number of surgeries and better access to healthcare facilities are the factor contributing to the demand for pain management solutions in this country. The government of this country is supporting the growth of pharmaceutical industry by promoting local manufacturers by offering funding and various other subsidies.
This limits the dependency on imports, reduces the cost, and makes these drugs available to the general population. China has generally shown increasing support for pharmaceutical innovation in the development of safer opioid formulations and abuse-deterrent technologies. Reforms in the regulatory environment pave the way for improvements in drug safety and efficacy and for market growth.
In addition, it is likely that with continued investment in research and development, China will bring new and innovative products forward that can compete in the global arena. As health awareness and accessibility increase, huge market potential will be fueled with all strategic investments, advancing China's leadership in this sector.
The country is projected to show a CAGR of 3.0% between 2024 and 2034. The rapidly growing healthcare infrastructure of this country makes it a lucrative country for the growth of Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination products.
The increasing cancer incidence in Germany will significantly raise the demand for acetaminophen-opioid combination products. Generally, cancer causes very severe, chronic pain that cannot be managed with non-opioid analgesics. Combination products which consist of opioids combined with acetaminophen provide enhanced pain relief because of the synergistic effects of the two ingredients.
With the rising prevalence of cancer, a growing number of patients will require sufficient pain management to enhance their quality of life and symptom management. Rising requirements will translate into a rise in the acetaminophen-opioid combinations consumed for the treatment of pain profiles that are complicated by progressed stages of cancer.
Acetaminophen and opioid combination drugs will thus be prescribed at an increasing rate by healthcare providers, further fueling market demand in Germany. Thus, these all factors are responsible for the growth of this industry in Germany.
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| Product | Value Share (2024) |
|---|---|
| Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen | 49.8% |
| Oxycodone/Acetaminophen | 25.2% |
| Codeine/Acetaminophen | 12.5% |
| Tramadol/Acetaminophen | 8.3% |
| Others | 4.2% |
Hydrocodone-Acetaminophen segment is expected to hold 49.8% market share in 2024 and is projected to continue experiencing high growth throughout the forecast period.
The hydrocodone-acetaminophen will dominate the market as majority of the marketed products consist of hydrocodone-acetaminophen combination in them. Moreover, this combination is widely used as an effective treatment for moderate to severe pain.
Hydrocodone, a strong opioid when combined with acetaminophen enhances pain relief while allowing for lower opioid doses, hence reducing side effects.
Because of the mostly prescribed formulation, it becomes the trusted combination for healthcare providers for post-surgical pain, injury-related pain, and chronic conditions. Furthermore, well-established efficacy in different formulations and familiarity to both doctors and patients will the reason for its dominance.
| By Strength | Value Share (2024) |
|---|---|
| Moderate to High Dose Combinations | 45.6% |
| Moderate to High Dose combinations | 38.7% |
| Extended-release combinations | 15.7% |
Moderate to high dose combinations segment is expected to hold 45.6% market share in 2024 and is projected to continue experiencing high growth throughout the forecast period.
The moderate to high dose combinations segment is expected hold largest share due to its effectiveness in managing severe pain in patient suffering from post-surgical pain, injury related pain and where lower dose of other analgesic have been failed to show results.
Such combinations benefit those patients who need higher dosages for better pain relief, with a choice of selecting a dose depending on their need.
Thus, due to such reasons the moderate to high dose combinations segment is expected to hold the dominant share within this industry
The acetaminophen-opioid combination market is slightly concentrated. There are few players in the global industry involved in development of efficient products that can meet their customer’s needs.
Prominent players of acetaminophen-opioid combination products are concentrating on growing internationally in order to increase their revenue and increase the size of their sales footprint in developing nations through the purchase of regional competitors.
Few of the comp[anise operating this industry are Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Grünenthal GmbH, Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., and Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
As per Product, the market has been categorized into hydrocodone/acetaminophen, oxycodone/acetaminophen, codeine/acetaminophen, tramadol/acetaminophen, and others.
The Indication segment is further sub-categorized into acute pain and chronic pain.
The Strength segment is bifurcated into low dose combinations, moderate to high dose combinations and extended-release combinations
The Distribution Channel segment is bifurcated into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, online pharmacies and clinics
Industry analysis has been carried out in key countries of North America, Latin America, East Asia, South Asia & Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, and Middle East & Africa.
The global market was valued at around USD 3,040.6 million in 2023.
The global market is set to reach a valuation of around USD 4,522.6 million by the end of 2034.
The hydrocodone/acetaminophen segment, within the product segment, held a 49.8% share of the global market in 2023.
Demand for the global market increased at a 1.7% CAGR from 2019 to 2023.
The global estimated market for 2024 is around USD 3,144.1 million.
The United States accounted for around 40.9% share of the global market in 2023.
1. Executive Summary 2. Industry Introduction, including Taxonomy and Market Definition 3. Market Trends and Success Factors, including Macro-economic Factors, Market Dynamics, and Recent Industry Developments 4. Global Market Demand Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, including Historical Analysis and Future Projections 5. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034 5.1. By Product 5.2. By Indication 5.3. By Strength 5.4. By Distribution Channel 5.5. By Region 6. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Product 6.1. Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen 6.2. Oxycodone/Acetaminophen 6.3. Codeine/Acetaminophen 6.4. Tramadol/Acetaminophen 6.5. Others 7. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Indication 7.1. Acute Pain 7.2. Chronic Pain 8. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Strength 8.1. Low Dose combinations 8.2. Moderate to High Dose combinations 8.3. Extended release combinations 9. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Distribution Channel 9.1. Hospital Pharmacies 9.2. Retail Pharmacies 9.3. Online Pharmacies 9.4. Clinics 10. Global Market Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Region 10.1. North America 10.2. Latin America 10.3. East Asia 10.4. South Asia and Pacific 10.5. Western Europe 10.6. Eastern Europe 10.7. Middle East and Africa 11. North America Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 12. Latin America Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 13. East Asia Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 14. South Asia & Pacific Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 15. Western Europe Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 16. Eastern Europe Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 17. Middle East and Africa Sales Analysis 2019 to 2023 and Forecast 2024 to 2034, by Key Segments and Countries 18. Sales Forecast 2024 to 2034 by Product, Indication, Strength, and Distribution Channel for 30 Countries 19. Competition Outlook, including Market Structure Analysis, Company Share Analysis by Key Players, and Competition Dashboard 20. Company Profile 20.1. Abbott 20.2. Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. 20.3. Hamilton Kent. 20.4. Trio Remedies Pvt Ltd 20.5. Purdue Pharmaceuticals L.P. 20.6. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. 20.7. Laboratoire Riva 20.8. Johnson & Johnson 20.9. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals 20.10. AstraZeneca 20.11. KVK Tech, Inc
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Acetaminophen-Opioid Combination Market
