Global Pain Management Drugs Market Size To Exceed USD 123.34 Billion by 2035 | CAGR of 4.5%: Market Study Report

RELEASE DATE: Nov 2025 Author: Spherical Insights
The Global Pain Management Drugs Market Size Was Estimated at USD 76.02 Billion in 2024 and is Projected to Reach USD 123.34 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2025 to 2035.

Table of Contents

Global Pain Management Drugs Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Drug Class (NSAIDs, Opioids, Anesthetics, Antidepressants, Anticonvulsants, Others), By Distribution Channel (Online Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Hospital Pharmacy), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 – 2035.


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Pain Management Drugs Market Summary

The Global Pain Management Drugs Market Size Was Estimated at USD 76.02 Billion in 2024 and is Projected to Reach USD 123.34 Billion by 2035, Growing at a CAGR of 4.5% from 2025 to 2035. The market for pain management drugs is expanding due to a number of factors, including the ageing population, the increasing prevalence of chronic pain problems, the growing knowledge of pain therapies, improvements in drug formulations, and the growing need for safe, effective, and tailored pain relief options.

 

Key Regional and Segment-Wise Insights

  • In 2024, the North America pain management drugs market size held the largest revenue share of 41.51% and dominated the global market.
  • In 2024, the opioids segment held the highest revenue share of 36.51% and dominated the global market size by drug class.
  • With the biggest revenue share of 55.36% in 2024, the retail pharmacy segment led the worldwide pain management drugs market size by distribution channel.

 

Global Market Forecast and Revenue Outlook

  • 2024 Market Size: USD 76.02 Billion
  • 2035 Projected Market Size: USD 123.34 Billion
  • CAGR (2025-2035): 4.5%
  • North America: Largest market in 2024
  • Asia Pacific: Fastest growing market

 Global Pain Management Drugs Market Size 1

The market size for pain management drugs operates through the development of pharmaceutical products which serve to alleviate neuropathic, acute, chronic, and cancer-related pain. The list of medications includes corticosteroids and opioids, as well as adjuvant treatments and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The market experiences growth because of two main factors, which include population ageing and rising numbers of chronic pain conditions such as cancer, back pain, arthritis, and post-operative pain. The market experiences growth because healthcare expenses continue to rise. Patients and medical professionals gain awareness about pain treatment, and consumers seek improved quality of life. The use of painkillers is also growing globally as a result of hospitals and clinics implementing integrated pain management programs and minimally invasive treatments.

 

The market size experiences major changes because of technological advancements, which have produced new pain relief drugs with better performance, reduced side effects, extended-release delivery systems, and specialised medication distribution methods. Telemedicine and pain monitoring applications provide digital health solutions which help patients follow treatment plans. They enable healthcare providers to deliver customised care. The management of pain receives support from governments and healthcare authorities through their establishment of laws, clinical guidelines, and financial backing for new treatment development. The worldwide market growth receives support from public awareness initiatives, together with programs that work to improve access to essential pain relief medications.

 

Drug Class Insights

 Global Pain Management Drugs Market Size 1

 

 

What Factors Enabled the Opioids Segment to Lead the Pain Management Drug Market in 2024 with the Largest Revenue Share of 36.51%?

The opioids segment leads the pain management drug market size with the largest revenue share of 36.51% in 2024. The combination of opioid effectiveness for moderate to severe pain treatment and their ability to manage chronic pain, cancer pain, and post-surgical pain makes them the top choice. The main reason for this dominance stems from opioid effectiveness in treating moderate to severe pain, including chronic pain, cancer-related pain, and post-surgical pain. The thing is, opioids work fast to stop bad pain, which makes them the most common choice for treating severe pain problems. The segment continues to grow because more individuals want a better quality and because chronic pain conditions keep increasing in number. The segment maintains its worldwide market leadership position because scientists keep creating safer opioid drugs that reduce addiction and adverse effects.

 

The anticonvulsant segment of the pain management drug market size is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR throughout the forecast period. Neuropathic pain, which proves resistant to standard pain medications, now receives treatment through anticonvulsants, including gabapentin and pregabalin. The growing requirement for these drugs emerges from the rising number of patients who experience chronic nerve pain disorders, including post-herpetic neuralgia and diabetic neuropathy. The increasing knowledge about anticonvulsant effectiveness for neuropathic and chronic pain treatment among patients and healthcare providers drives adoption rates. The anticonvulsant market experiences rapid worldwide growth because of government support for pain management treatments and improved drug safety.

 

Distribution Channel Insights

Why Did the Retail Pharmacy Segment Capture a 55.36% Revenue Share in the Pain Management Drug Market in 2024?

The retail pharmacy segment held the largest revenue share of 55.36% and led the pain management drug market in 2024. The leading position exists because retail pharmacies provide numerous pain management products. This allows patients to get their required prescription and non-prescription medications easily. The convenience of retail pharmacies, along with their extensive product range and pharmacist expertise, leads to better patient trust and medication adherence. The demand for pain management services continues to grow because chronic pain problems keep expanding and medical professionals now understand pain management better, and healthcare expenses keep getting higher. The global market for pain management medications stays under retail pharmacy control because pharmaceutical companies work with pharmacy chains and run promotional activities.

 

Over the forecast period, the online pharmacy segment of the pain management drugs market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR. The main drivers of this expansion stem from increasing internet usage, together with smartphone adoption, and the rising demand for convenient home delivery of prescriptions. The benefits of online pharmacies, which include fast access to numerous painkillers at low costs and private shopping and quick service, have made them increasingly popular among patients. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of e-pharmacies and digital healthcare services. The worldwide expansion of online pharmacies stems from two main factors, which include growing patient awareness about digital healthcare and better delivery systems. Increasing online pharmaceutical sales by drug manufacturers.

 

Regional Insights

North America held the largest revenue share of 41.51% and led the global pain management drug market during 2024. The region maintains its leadership position because it combines an ageing population with an effective healthcare system and numerous chronic pain conditions. The market growth stems from the widespread adoption of modern medications, which include opioids, NSAIDs, and anticonvulsants, and the extensive knowledge about pain management treatments among patients and healthcare professionals. The area's leadership position stems from major R&D funding and drug development initiatives and public sector backing for pain treatment service improvements. The presence of major pharmaceutical companies, together with established legal frameworks and modern medical facilities, has established North America as the leading force in the global painkiller market.

 

Europe Pain Management Drugs Market Trends

The European market holds a significant revenue share in the global pain management drug market because chronic pain conditions, including neuropathic disorders, back pain, and arthritis, have become more common among older people. The countries of Germany, the United Kingdom, and France use pain management treatments because their healthcare systems and pharmaceutical industries operate at advanced levels. The market experiences growth because consumers now understand proper pain management techniques, while governments actively protect access to essential medications and healthcare providers work to improve patients' quality of life. Drug formulation technology development, targeted delivery systems, and new analgesic research activities continue to support the market position of this area. The European market for painkillers maintains its leading position through pharmaceutical companies which work together with healthcare providers.

 

Asia Pacific Pain Management Drugs Market Trends

The Asia Pacific pain management drugs market size is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period because of increasing chronic pain cases, better pain treatment methods, and an expanding elderly population. The countries of China, India, Japan, and Australia are experiencing a growing requirement for effective pain relief medications, which include opioids, NSAIDs, and anticonvulsants. The market expansion results from government initiatives to broaden pharmaceutical access. Expanding healthcare facilities and rising consumer spending power contribute as well. Online pharmacies, together with telemedicine and digital healthcare solutions, provide patients with better access to healthcare services while making it more convenient for them to obtain medical care. The Asia Pacific market experiences rapid growth because pharmaceutical companies dedicate resources to developing painkillers and establishing distribution networks and research facilities.

 

Key Pain Management Drugs Companies:

The following are the leading companies in the pain management drugs market. These companies collectively hold the largest market share and dictate industry trends.

  • Teva Pharmaceutical
  • Merck
  • GlaxoSmithKline
  • Pfizer
  • Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
  • AstraZeneca
  • Endo International
  • Abbott
  • Depomed
  • Novartis
  • Others

 

Recent Developments

  • In August 2025, according to Teva Pharmaceuticals, AJOVY (fremanezumab-vfrm) has been approved by the U.S. FDA to prevent episodic migraine in children and adolescents ages 6 to 17 who weigh 45 kg (99 lbs) or more. The first CGRP antagonist authorised for the prevention of migraines in both adults and children was AJOVY. The importance of this monthly, in-office, or at-home treatment is underscored by the fact that around 10% of children and adolescents in the United States experience migraines.

 

  • In May 2025, AstraZeneca ceased researching neurology and stopped developing experimental medications for pain, migraines, and Alzheimer's.  With revenues of about USD 51 billion, the business refocused on its core competencies, such as cardiovascular illnesses and cancer.  It plans to commercialise 20 new drugs and generate USD 80 billion in revenue annually by 2030.

 

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Decision Advisors has segmented the pain management drugs market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

 

Global Pain Management Drugs Market, By Drug Class

  • NSAIDs
  • Opioids
  • Anesthetics
  • Antidepressants
  • Anticonvulsants
  • Others

 

Global Pain Management Drugs Market, By Distribution Channel

  • Online Pharmacy
  • Retail Pharmacy
  • Hospital Pharmacy

 

Global Pain Management Drugs Market, By Regional Analysis

  • North America
    • US
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • UK
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • Japan
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Australia
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America
  • Middle East & Africa
    • UAE
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Qatar
    • South Africa
    • Rest of the Middle East & Africa

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