Acetaminophen Market - By Dosage Form (Tablets, Liquid Suspension), Route of Administration (Oral, Parenteral), Application (Pain Relief & Fever, Common Cold), Distribution Channel & Forecast 2023 - 2032

Acetaminophen Market Size

Acetaminophen Market size accounted for USD 9.8 billion in 2022 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.8% to reach USD 16.4 billion by 2032. The market is driven by the increasing use of paracetamol in conditions such as flu, fever, and headaches.
 

Acetaminophen is a commonly used painkiller for headaches and is available without prescription in most parts of the world. Hence, rising cases of infectious diseases and headache disorder is expected to positively influence the market growth. For instance, according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, headache disorders are among the most prevalent and disabling conditions worldwide. Similarly, as reported by the American Migraine Foundation, migraines affect 1 in 7 people globally. Additionally, acetaminophen when given intravenously acts as an effective treatment option in relieving pain and gives rapid relief.
 

Acetaminophen, also known as paracetamol, is a common painkiller widely used as an antipyretic and analgesic that relieves pain and reduces fever. Paracetamol is available combined with other painkillers and anti-sickness medicines. The drug is considered as over-the-counter drug and is available under a several brand names.
 

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the acetaminophen market. Paracetamol, due to its widespread availability, was recommended by various healthcare authorities across the world for managing fever in adults and children with COVID-19. Rising COVID-19 cases across the world increased the demand for paracetamol drugs by several folds. To meet the rising demand governments of various countries supported the local manufacturing of paracetamol, which strengthened the local market players and their competitiveness around the world.
 

For instance, in June 2020, the government of French collaborated with several French pharmaceutical companies such as Seqens, Sanofi, and Upsa, to ensure increased local manufacturing of paracetamol in the country. Further, post-pandemic the increased production of paracetamol by the local market players and initiatives to encourage availability is expected to foster the market progress.
 

Acetaminophen Market Trends

Rising number of chronic diseases and pain management including for degenerative disc disease treatment conditions is a major factor driving the market expansion. For instance, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.71 billion people have musculoskeletal conditions worldwide. Paracetamol is widely recommended as the first choice for age-related musculoskeletal conditions that cause chronic pain and disability. Also, paracetamol has been assessed in different conditions and demonstrated therapeutic efficacy for both acute and chronic pain. It is active as a single agent and is synergistic with NSAIDs and opioids, improving their efficacy and safety.
 

Further, fast dissolving formulations of paracetamol provide superior and more extended pain relief. The drug has been recommended as a first or second-line drug for acute pain and chronic pain, especially for patients with limited therapeutic options and for the elderly. Thus, growing cases of chronic diseases leading to pain will spur the market outlook.
 

Acetaminophen Market Restraint

A key restraint is that regular use of acetaminophen medications can cause high blood pressure. Long-term use of paracetamol is associated with a high risk of heart disease and strokes in consumers with high blood pressure. As per the latest clinical study conducted by researchers at the University of Edinburgh in 2022, paracetamol when given in patients with high blood pressure, saw a significant increase in blood pressure compared with those taking the placebo. Additionally, paracetamol toxicity due to either accidental or intentional overdose is an ongoing global problem that continues to result in cases of hepatotoxicity and acute liver toxicity.
 

Acetaminophen  Market Analysis

By dosage form, the acetaminophen market is classified into tablets, liquid suspension, infusion solutions, and other dosage forms. The tablet dosage form is the most popular and is expected to occupy majority of the share in the global market. Since tablets are easy to take orally, the segment is expected to grow rapidly in the coming years. Also, tablets are widely used because of their convenience, ease of administration, accurate dosing, and stability. They can be manufactured in various shapes, sizes, and colours, and can be designed to release the active ingredient in a specific manner to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Therefore, because of rapid pain relief and availability of combination dosages with other pain killers, the segment is anticipated to witness high growth, thereby enhancing the market revenue.
 

Based on route of administration, the acetaminophen market is segmented into oral, parenteral, and other routes of administration. The parenteral route of administration is expected to register around USD 1.3 billion by 2032. The parenteral route offers direct and rapid delivery of the drug into the bloodstream. This ensures more efficient and predictable absorption of the drugs, resulting in faster onset of action and improved treatment outcomes. Therefore, healthcare professionals and patients are increasingly opting for parenteral administration of paracetamol, thereby propelling market demand.  
 

By application, the acetaminophen market is segmented into pain relief & fever, common cold, headache, and abdominal cramps. The pain relief and fever segment held largest market share of 76.4% in 2022. Paracetamol is a commonly used medicine used to treat pain and reduce a high temperature. It is typically used to relieve mild or moderate pain, such as headaches, toothache, or sprains, and reduce fevers caused by illnesses such as colds and flu. The sale of paracetamol for pain relief and fever has surged in high-growth countries, such as India and China, because of the simplicity of procurement. Furthermore, an increase in the number of people suffering from pain and fever, as well as improved awareness, is one of the important causes for market advancement.
 

The distribution channel in acetaminophen market is divided into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. Hospital pharmacies accounted for USD 3.4 billion market revenue in 2022. High market share of the hospital pharmacies segment can be attributed to high patient load in hospitals. Also, availability of a wide range of treatments within the hospital setting will boost the segment size. Additionally, the advanced pharmaceutical infrastructure and expertise of hospital pharmacies, including compounding capabilities, allow for personalized and tailored treatments, further contributing to the market growth.
 

North America region holds the largest market share of global acetaminophen market. The presence of key players, high incidence of fever, headaches, migraine in the region, well-structured healthcare system are some of the key factors that drive the regional market expansion. The market growth in the U.S. is expected to be robust during the forecast period. For instance, according to the Migraine Research Foundation, more than 4 million adults experience chronic daily migraines, with at least 15 migraine days per month in the U.S. Thus, the growing patient pool and increasing disposable revenue in this country are expected to boost the market share.
 

Acetaminophen Market Share

Major market players operating in the acetaminophen market include

• Sanofi
• Janssen Pharmaceuticals
• Pfizer Inc.
• Bayer AG
• Glaxo SmithKline Pharmaceuticals Ltd
• Granules India Limited
• Alkem Laboratories Ltd
• Abbott
• Lupin Ltd
• Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc.
• BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB
• B.BRAUN MELSUNGEN
• Novartis AG
• IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals
• Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited
• Aurobindo Pharma
• Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA
• Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd.
• Mallinckrodt (Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals)

These industry players majorly adopt various strategies including collaborations, acquisitions, mergers, and partnerships to create a global footprint and sustain market competition.
 

Acetaminophen Industry News:

• In April 2022, IOL Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals commenced the commercial production of paracetamol with installed capacity of 1,800 MTPA along with backward integration of Para Amino Phenol (PAP). This strategy helped the company boost its production capability. Further, considering the present market scenario, the company is in the process of enhancing the installed capacity for manufacturing paracetamol from 1,800 MTPA to 3,600 MTPA.
   
• In November 2021, Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for Maxigesic IV, a novel, unique combination of 1000 mg Paracetamol and 300mg ibuprofen solution for infusion, for the treatment of postoperative pain. This strategy has helped the company widen the applications of its product, thereby increasing its customer base.
   

The acetaminophen market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue in USD from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments:

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By Dosage Form

• Tablet
• Liquid Suspension
• Infusion solution
• Other dosage forms

By Route of Administration

• Oral
• Parenteral
• Other routes of administration

By Application

• Pain relief & fever
• Common cold
• Headache
• Abdominal cramps

By Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Retail Pharmacies
• Online Pharmacies

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Spain
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Rest of MEA