Global Opioids Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Methadone, Codeine, Fentanyl, Oxycodone, Morphine, Hydrocodone, and Others), By Application (Pain Management, Cough Treatment, and Diarrhea Treatment), and By Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East, and Africa), Analysis and Forecast 2025 - 2035.

Global Opioids Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• The Global Opioids Market Size Was Estimated at USD 23.96 Billion in 2024
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 1.43% from 2025 to 2035
• The Worldwide Opioids Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 28.02 Billion by 2035
• Asia Pacific is expected to grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The global opioids market size was worth around USD 23.96 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to around USD 28.02 billion by 2035 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 1.43% from 2025 and 2035. The market for opioids provides opportunities due to the development of safer, more individualized medicines to improve patient outcomes and regulatory compliance, growth in new markets, and innovation in abuse-deterrent formulations.  

Market Overview

The global industry that includes the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of pharmaceutical goods based on opioids and predominantly used for pain relief, anesthesia, and the treatment of ailments like cough and diarrhea is known as the opioids market. The research, marketing, and distribution of opioid-based treatments are the main objectives of the opioids market, which aims to meet pain management demands while maintaining safety, legal compliance, and ethical pharmaceutical innovation. The market for opioids is growing as a result of increased demand for effective medications to treat pain, cough, and diarrhea. The introduction of novel opioid medications to treat patients with chronic pain and growing acceptance are the factors anticipated to propel the opioids market. Increasing use of these medications to treat pain and an increase in the elderly population, which is mostly susceptible to orthopedic pain, are the primary factors driving the opioids market. The market for opioids is driven by the prescription of opioids and the increasing focus on non-opioid alternatives.    

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the opioids market based on various segments and regions, forecasts revenue growth, and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the opioids market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the opioids market. 

Driving Factors

The approval of new medications like Olinvyk and the increase in the prevalence of target diseases are major drivers propelling the opioids market. The growing incidence of chronic pain illnesses, including cancer, arthritis, and musculoskeletal disorders, which call for efficient pain management solutions, is the main factor driving the opioids market. Increased prevalence of chronic pain, growing geriatric populations, and improvements in formulations that dissuade abuse are the main factors propelling opioids market expansion. The demand for efficient pain management solutions has increased dramatically due to the rising incidence of chronic pain illnesses like cancer, arthritis, and musculoskeletal ailments.

Restraining Factors

The market for opioids is constrained by factors such as increased rates of addiction, strict regulations, overdose deaths, and escalating public health worries, all of which work against broad adoption and restrict market growth.  

Market Segmentation

The opioids market share is classified into product type and application. 

• The oxycodone segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the product type, the opioids market is divided into methadone, codeine, fentanyl, oxycodone, morphine, hydrocodone, and others. Among these, the oxycodone segment dominated the market in 2024 and is projected to grow at a substantial CAGR during the forecast period. The growth in oxycodone use around the world is the reason for the oxycodone segment. The availability of extended-release formulations and its extensive use in treating moderate to severe pain, particularly that connected to cancer and surgery, helped it to take the top spot2.

• The pain management segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the opioids market is divided into pain management, cough treatment, and diarrhea treatment. Among these, the pain management segment accounted for the largest share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. The market for pain management is anticipated to grow at a significant rate due to the sharp rise in the number of patients with backaches, migraines, and chronic headaches; those recovering from surgery or experiencing excruciating pain from cancer; and those hurt in sports, auto accidents, or other incidents.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Opioids Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the opioids market over the predicted timeframe.

North America is anticipated to hold the largest share of the opioids market over the predicted timeframe. The region of North America opioid-based medications are increasingly being approved by regulatory bodies like the U.S. North America to address the region's expanding unmet medical needs, which is why the number of product approvals is rising. North America's high prevalence of chronic pain, sophisticated healthcare system, and robust pharmaceutical innovation are projected to propel the region to the top of the worldwide opioid market. The United States plays a major role, propelling growth through the extensive use of opioids and the development of new painkillers.  

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR in the opioids market during the forecast period. The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to grow at the highest rate in the upcoming years as businesses like Purdue Pharma turn their attention to this area to solidify their place in the industry. The government's efforts to curb opioid abuse in the Asia Pacific region are responsible for the region's expansion. High-quality opioids meant for pain relief may be prescribed more frequently as a result of this measure, which would propel the opioids market's expansion.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the opioids market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Pfizer, Inc.
• Sanofi S.A.
• AbbVie Inc.
• Grünenthal
• AstraZeneca Plc
• Purdue Pharma LP
• Sun Pharmaceuticals
• Johnson & Johnson, Inc.
• Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
• Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals
• C.H. Boehringer Sohn Ag and Ko. Kg
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Limited
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs) 

Recent Development

• In April 2025, OBGYN-prescribed narcotics and muscle relaxants were given to males by a Houston drugstore. The Houston drugstore and its proprietors are facing legal prosecution and a civil complaint for providing a male customer with muscle relaxants and painkillers.  

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the opioids market based on the below-mentioned segments:  

Global Opioids Market, By Product Type

• Methadone
• Codeine
• Fentanyl
• Oxycodone
• Morphine
• Hydrocodone
• Others

Global Opioids Market, By Application

• Pain Management
• Cough Treatment
• Diarrhea Treatment

Global Opioids 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