Pruritus Therapeutics Market – By Product, By Application, Distribution Channel – Global Forecast, 2025 to 2034

Pruritus Therapeutics Market Size

The global pruritus therapeutics market was estimated at USD 9.6 billion in 2024. The market is expected to grow from USD 9.9 billion in 2025 to USD 14.4 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period. Pruritus therapeutics is a type of treatment, which is used to manage chronic or acute itching, caused by various conditions such as dermatological disorders, such as atopic dermatitis and allergic contact dermatitis, and other factors. This therapeutics includes pharmaceutical drugs, biologics, and medical interventions, aimed at minimizing pruritus related symptoms.
 

The global pruritus therapeutics market is experiencing significant growth, driven by an increasing dermatological disorders cases such as atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, and psoriasis, among others. For instance, according to the data from the Atopic Dermatitis Atlas, in 2022, the prevalence of atopic dermatitis was high, which affected up to 20% of children and up to 10% of adults. The burden of disease ranks 15th worldwide for non-fatal diseases, and number one for skin diseases, measured in disability-adjusted life years (DALYs). Thus, in 2022, atopic dermatitis was considered as a common and burdensome skin disease with a complex pathogenesis. These statistics highlight the rising demand of targeted therapies such as pruritus therapeutics, which have broad therapeutic value for treating different kinds of dermatological disorders.
 

Additionally, the rising awareness of pruritus as a noticeable medical condition is being driven by educational initiatives, and targeted campaigns, advocacy efforts from healthcare organizations and pharmaceutical companies. Previously it was viewed as a symptom, now chronic pruritus is recognize as condition through the initiatives by healthcare organizations such as International Forum for the Study of Itch (IFSI) and the National Eczema Association (NEA), which provides medical guidelines and patient education, underlying the causes, and impact of chronic pruritus, leading to earlier consultations and diagnosis. The increasing social media awareness campaigns, continuing medical education (CME) programs, and physician-focused webinars, has further enhanced the clinical recognition. Additionally, patient support groups and other online platforms have supported individuals to share their experiences and seek medical advice sooner, which minimizes the stigma around chronic itching are also boosting the growth of the market.
 

Pruritus Therapeutics Market Trends

• Targeted therapies and biologics are reforming the treatment landscape for chronic pruritus by providing more precise and effective solutions. At first treatments were focusing on broad-acting antihistamines and corticosteroids, but the recent advancements have led to the development of biologics and small-molecule drugs, which targets the key inflammatory and neural pathways which are involved in chronic itch conditions such as atopic dermatitis, prurigo nodularis, and allergic contact dermatitis, among others.
   
• Additionally, second generation therapies have improved specificity and efficacy compared to the traditional treatments. For instance, the study from National Institute of Health states that Nemolizumab is an anti-IL-31 RA humanized monoclonal antibodies, which is estimated to reach USD 609 billion by 2032,  that rapidly reduces itch in atopic dermatitis patients, with sustained efficacy, shows a suitable safety profile for patients. These biologics minimizes the off-target effects and reduces the side effects, which help to enhance their adoption in clinical practice. Thus, the success of these therapies has led to a shift toward precision medicine, where biologic drugs are tailored to specific inflammatory pathways driving pruritus.
   
• Similarly, the research study reported that IL-17 and IL-23 inhibitors, including secukinumab and risankizumab, have shown successful results in improving the  psoriasis-related to pruritus by reducing skin inflammation and excessive immune activation.
   
• Further, combination strategies are enhancing the effectiveness of pruritus targeting therapies. For instance, clinical studies have shown that Nemolizumab combined with topical corticosteroids, significantly minimizes the severity and also improves the skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis patients, providing superior outcomes.
   
• Thus, the integration of targeted biologics and small molecules are optimizing pruritus therapies, with combination approaches, helps in enhancing the therapeutic outcomes. These innovations are escalating the market growth and also reshaping the long term management strategies for chronic pruritus.
   

Pruritus Therapeutics Market Analysis

Based on product, the market is segmented into corticosteroids, antihistamines, counterirritants, immunosuppressant, calcineurin inhibitors, and other products. The global market was estimated at USD 9.2 billion in 2023. The corticosteroids held revenue of USD 2.7 billion in 2024 and the segment is poised for significant growth at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period.
 

• Corticosteroids are extensively used in pruritus therapeutics due to their powerful anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive property. They work by inhibiting the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressing immune system overactivity, which helps them to relive itching and minimizing skin inflammation in various dermatological conditions.
   
• For example, mometasone furoate (Elocon), betamethasone dipropionate (Diprolene), and clobetasol propionate (Clobex) are widely prescribed topical corticosteroids that offer effective symptom control.
   
• One of the benefit of corticosteroids is that it is available in multiple formulations, which allows for tailored treatment approaches. Topical corticosteroids are commonly used for localized pruritus, whereas oral and injectable forms are preferred for severe cases.
   
• For instance, according to study conducted in the National institute of Health (NIH) states that, triamcinolone acetonide injectable corticosteroids has shown positive result to manage severe cases of prurigo nodularis, which helps in providing long-lasting relief. This flexibility ensures that corticosteroids can be effectively used across different level of disease severity.
   
• Additionally, corticosteroids has shown the broad-spectrum of efficacy, making them an effective treatment option against a various range of pruritic conditions. These includes skin disorders such as eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus and other systemic conditions.
   
• Moreover, topical corticosteroids offers specified treatment option with minimal systemic side effects when used correctly. Thus, this helps for effective symptom relief while minimizing the risk of adverse effects associated with systemic corticosteroid use, hence increasing use of corticosteroids in various dermatological disorders helps in market expansion.
   

Based on applications, the market is bifurcated into atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, and other applications. The atopic dermatitis segment accounted for a revenue share of 28.8% and with revenue of USD 2.8 billion in 2024.
 

• Pruritus therapeutics play a crucial role in managing the atopic dermatitis (AD), which is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by intense itching and recurrent flare-ups. The continuous pruritus in AD significantly affects patients quality life.
   
• Topical corticosteroids stays as the first-line of treatment for minimizing inflammation and relieving itching in AD patients. For example, medications such as hydrocortisone, betamethasone, and mometasone furoate are commonly prescribed to control acute flare-ups.
   
• Additionally, calcineurin inhibitors such as Tacrolimus (0.03% and 0.1% preparations) are more effective than mild topical steroids. These help to modulate the immune response and minimize the itching without causing skin thinning, making them a suitable treatment option for long term use.
   
• Moreover, the ongoing research and new drug approvals in pruritus therapeutics are progressing to provide more effective, targeted, and long-term relief for atopic dermatitis patients, which improves both clinical outcomes and quality of life.
   

Based on distribution channel, the pruritus therapeutics market is bifurcated into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. The hospital pharmacies segment accounted for a 55.6% market share in 2024.
 

• The dominance of this segment is mostly attributed due to specialized care provided in hospital settings. Hospital pharmacies ensure secure access to pruritus therapeutics drugs, particularly for newly diagnosed patients or those with complex cases requiring close medical supervision.
   
• Hospital pharmacies also educate patients about this medications, their side effects and proper usage. They also provide personalized counselling, helping patients to know the difference between the various formulations such oral and injectable or topical for various dermatological disorders.
   
• Furthermore, these pharmacies also provide services such as patient support services, including medication management programs, closer monitoring of treatment responses, and collaboration with healthcare professionals. This increases patient adherence to prescribed therapies, enhancing treatment efficiency and contributing to the market growth.
   

The North America pruritus therapeutics market is accounted for USD 3.9 billion revenues in 2024 forecasted to reach USD 5.8 billion by 2034. The U.S. dominated the North America market with the largest revenue of USD 3.4 billion in 2023.
 

• The increasing incidence of dermatological disorders such as atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, among others, in the U.S. drives demand for pruritus therapeutics, specifically for targeted therapies to treat various types of dermatological disorders.
   
• For instance, according to the National Institute of Health (NIH), in 2021, the prevalence of psoriasis in adults in the U.S. was 3%, indicating that more than 7.5 million adults 20 years or older had psoriasis. Psoriasis was found to be most common in non-Hispanic White individuals.
   
• In addition to this, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented rigorous standards for pruritus therapeutics, escalating the development of new drugs in the U.S. with enhanced safety, efficacy, and stability to meet the growing demand for effective treatments.
   

Europe: The pruritus therapeutics market in UK is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• The UK has a strong biopharmaceutical industry which invests broadly in research and development of innovative targeted therapies, including pruritus therapeutics. For instance, according to data from Statista, pharmaceutical R&D expenditure reached around EUR 9 billion in 2022. Thus, this significant investment strengthens the UK's position in developing advanced pruritus therapeutics.
   
• Additionally, in the UK, the pruritus therapeutics market is expected to grow considerably due to rising prevalence of atopic dermatitis. For example, a 2023 study estimated that between 1.5% and 9.9% of adults were affected by this condition in UK.  
   

Asia Pacific: Japan pruritus therapeutics market is anticipated to witness lucrative growth between 2025 – 2034.
 

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2021, Japan's elderly population, aged 65 and above, comprised 29.1% of the total population. This demographic shift has led to a rise in age-related diseases, including chronic pruritus, which is highly prevalent among older adults. Thus, this increasing disease burden has surged the demand for effective therapies, escalating the growth of the market.
   
• Further, Japan also has leading pharmaceutical companies which has great capabilities in drug development such as pruritus therapeutics.
   

Middle East and Africa: The pruritus therapeutics market in Saudi Arabia is expected to experience significant and promising growth from 2025 to 2034.
 

• Saudi Arabia is also experiencing a shift in population demographics. For instance, the number of people aged 60+ is expected to increase five times from 2 million (5.9% of the total population) in 2020, reaching 10.5 million by 2050.
   
• Such high trends in the aging population are expected to increase the demand for pruritus therapeutics in coming years.
   
• Further, Saudi Arabia’s advance healthcare infrastructure and rising investment in advanced healthcare technologies create opening for the development and adoption of advanced pruritus therapeutics tailored to the country’s patient specific needs.
   

Pruritus Therapeutics Market Share

The top 4 players of the pruritus therapeutics industry account for approximately 45% of the market share which includes companies such as AbbVie, Eli Lilly And Company, GSK, Johnson & Johnson, among others. With every firm introducing new drugs and using advanced technologies, modernization is extremely important. Moreover, strategic partnerships with pharmaceutical companies, research institutes, and government agencies play a primary role in advancing the development of drugs and getting the necessary permits. The enhancement of public awareness about dermatological disorders conditions such atopic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis, psoriasis, among others and its health impact through the social media platform, will encourage more individuals to seek the treatment, assisting market players to strengthen their position in this growing sector.
 

Pruritus Therapeutics Market Companies

Some of the eminent market participants operating in the pruritus therapeutics industry include:

• AbbVie
• Amgen
• Astellas Pharma
• Arcutis Biotherapeutics
• Bristol-Myers Squibb
• Cara Therapeutics
• Eli Lilly And Company
• GSK
• Galderma
• Johnson & Johnson
• Kyowa Kirin
• Novartis
• Pfizer
• Sanofi
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries
   
• GSK has robust geographical presence which enables it to enhance its market reach. GSK operates in more than 75 countries thus comprising of a strong distribution network.
   
• Johnson & Johnson has strong global workforce of approximately 89,900 employees, which enables the company to drive innovation, and deliver high-quality solutions.
   

Pruritus Therapeutics Industry News

• In July 2024 Arcutis Biotherapeutics, Inc. announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved the supplemental new drug application (sNDA) for ZORYVE (roflumilast) cream, 0.15%, for the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in adult and pediatric patients 6 years of age and older. This approval expanded companies dermatology portfolio and enhaced its competitive position in the dermatology market.
   
• In January 2022, AbbVie announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had approved RINVOQ (upadacitinib) for the treatment of moderate to severe atopic dermatitis in adults and children 12 years and older whose condition had not responded to previous treatments and was not well controlled with other oral or injectable therapies, including biologic medicines. This approval strengthened Abbvie product portfolio and its market presence.
   

The pruritus therapeutics market research report includes an in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates and forecast in terms of revenue in USD Million from 2021 – 2034 for the following segments:

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Market, By Product

• Corticosteroids
• Antihistamines
• Counterirritants
• Immunosuppressant
• Calcineurin inhibitors
• Other products

Market, By Application

• Atopic dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Psoriasis
• Urticaria
• Other applications

Market, 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
• Netherlands

• Asia Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea

• Latin America

• Brazil
• Mexico
• Argentina

• Middle East and Africa

• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE