Topical Pain Relief Market Introduction & Overview

Topical pain relievers are used to majorly relieve acute musculoskeletal pain and can easily penetrate the skin by rubbing on the skin surface for quick relief. They can provide short-term but effective relief. Moreover, they tend to work best on joints that are closer to the skin surface. These usually consist of methyl salicylate, which is often used as a counterirritant and reduces swelling and irritation. Topical pain relievers also contain menthol, camphor, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil which give a cooling sensation, desensitizing nerve endings by decreasing arterial blood flow, and distract the brain from the pain, which helps in healing and comforting.

The global topical pain relief market is driven by factors such as a growing number of patients suffering from arthritis, diabetic neuropathy, and chronic diseases, and increased geriatric population, leading to the increasing adoption of topical pain relief. Moreover, benefits of topical pain relief, such as fewer side effects over oral pain killers, are further fueling the market growth. However, local irritation or skin sensitization and inappropriateness of the topical route of administration for patients with decreased peripheral blood flow are some of the drawbacks, which may impact market growth to a certain extent.

The global topical pain relief market is segmented into therapeutic class, formulation, type, distribution channel, and region.

Topical Pain Relief Market By Therapeutic Class

Based on therapeutic class, the market can be segmented into non-opioids and opioids. Non-opioids are further divided into nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), methyl salicylates, capsaicin, lidocaine, and other non-opioids. Opioids are classified into Buprenorphine and Fentanyl. Non-opioids account for the largest market share. Majorly due to the increasing preference by the patients for safe & effective first-line therapy alternatives for mild to moderate acute and chronic pain.

Topical Pain Relief Market By Formulation

Based on formulation, the market can be classified into cream, gel, spray, patch and others. The cream segment holds the largest market share majorly because the additive feature helps easy penetration into the skin. Also the high availability and fewer side effects add to the growing adoption of cream-based topical pain reliefs.

Topical Pain Relief Market By Type

Based on type the market can be classified into prescription pain relief and over-the-counter pain relief. Over-the-counter pain reliefs account for the largest market share owing to convenience of purchasing without any prescription. Mostly these are commonly used non-opioids topical pain relievers.

Topical Pain Relief Market By Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channel the market can be classified into pharmacies & drug stores, e-commerce and retail & grocery stores. The pharmacies & drug stores segment holds the largest market share owing to the increasing number of pharmacies and drug stores, where topical pain relievers are sold, which also helps the consumers to compare pricing, and go through patient’s reviews before purchasing the most effective pain reliever.

Topical Pain Relief Market By Region

Based on region, the market can be segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World (ROW). Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR owing to factors such as increasing prevalence of patients suffering from arthritis and diabetic neuropathy along with the growing in the geriatric population in China, India, and Japan and increasing awareness regarding the benefits of topical pain relievers.

Topical Pain Relief Market Prominent Players

Some of the key players operating in the global topical pain relief market include AdvaCare Pharma, GlaxoSmithKline plc., Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc., Nestlé, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc., Reckitt Benckiser Group plc, Sanofi, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., The Feel Good Lab, LLC., and others.