Opioid Induced Constipation (OIC) Drugs Market Expected to Reach $1785.01 million by 2031—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Opioid Induced Constipation (OIC) Drugs Market," The opioid induced constipation drugs market size was valued at $1105.71 million in 2021, and is projected to reach $1785.01 million by 2031 by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2022 to 2031. Opioid induced constipation (OIC) is a condition in which changes in bowel movements occur by opioid medications and symptoms such as decreased bowel movement frequency, worsening of bowel movement straining, feeling of incomplete rectal evacuation, or harder stool consistency. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract's peristalsis and stomach emptying are known to be inhibited by opioid medicines, which causes delayed absorption and increased fluid absorption. Constipation and hardness of the stool are caused by a lack of fluid in the colon. Thus, to treat such condition, many drugs are approved and available such as mu-opioid receptor antagonists, chloride channel-2 activators and drugs showing surfactant effect.

The major factors driving the growth of opioid induced constipation drugs market are increasing number of chronic pain disorders resulting in use of opioids for pain management, rise in new advancements and rise in research activities related to opioid induced constipation. In addition, rise in prevalence of chronic disorders results in use of opioids leading to chances of constipation, thereby driving the growth of OIC drugs market size. For instance, the report of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2020, reported that in 2019, 20.4% of adults suffered from chronic pain disorders. Thus, rise in number of chronic pain cases results in use of opioids which results in opioid induced constipation (OIC), thereby driving the growth of the opioid induced constipation drugs market share.

Further, rise in prevalence of cancer cases is expected to drive the growth of market owing to high use of opioids in cancer pain treatment. For instance, an article published in Cancer Therapy Advisor 2022, reported opioids are highly prescribed for cancer pain management accounting for 35% in breast cancer, 37% in colorectal cancer and 47% in lung cancer, thus rise in use of opioids for pain management is anticipated to drive the growth of market. In addition, most cancer patients on opioid therapy experience constipation, which further drives market growth. Further, availability of effective medications such as methylnaltrexone have been found to be effective in treating opioid induced constipation (OIC) which further drives the growth of market. For instance, according to article published in Clinical Oncology 2020, stated methylnaltrexone (Relistor) achieved 61.1% rescue-free bowel movement within four hours of administration, thus availability of such medications is anticipated to propel market expansion.

The rising initiatives by non-government and government organizations to increase awareness about the opioid induced constipation (OIC) and available medications, among the patients through different programs and campaigns is predicted to boost opioid induced constipation drugs market growth. In addition, rise in adoption of novel medications for opioid induced constipation (OIC) and awareness about the importance of early diagnosis of opioid induced constipation (OIC) is anticipated to fuel the market growth. Furthermore, many key players of the market have adopted key strategies such as collaboration, agreement or alliance to cater the demand of opioid induced constipation (OIC) drugs, which drives the growth of opioid induced constipation drugs market trends.

On the basis of drug type, the opioid induced constipation industry is categorized into mu-opioid receptor antagonists, chloride channel-2 activators and others. The mu-opioid receptor antagonists segment accounted for the largest share in 2021 and is also expected to remain dominant during the forecast period, owing to the rise in number of product launches by the key players for treating opioid induced constipation (OIC) and the rise in research activities for evaluating safety and efficacy of these agents.

On the basis of prescription type, the market is categorized into over the counter drugs and prescribed drugs. The prescribed drugs segment occupied highest share in 2021 and is expected to remain dominant during forecast period owing to availability of major drugs and rise in number of key players manufacturing these formulations. The over the counter (OTC) drugs segment is projected to register highest CAGR during forecast period owing to rise in adoption of these drugs along with prescribed drugs for opioid induced constipation (OIC) management.

On the basis of distribution channel, the market is categorized into hospital pharmacies, drug stores and retail pharmacies and online providers. The drug stores and retail pharmacies segment occupied highest share in 2021 and is expected to remain dominant during forecast period owing to increase in preference of the people toward retail pharmacies, as retail pharmacies guide patients regarding medications and usage during treatment period. The online providers segment is projected to register highest CAGR during forecast period owing to rise in popularity of online pharmacy and number of users preferring online pharmacies.

Region wise, North America is expected to witness highest growth, in terms of revenue, owing rise in prevalence of opioid induced constipation (OIC) cases, prevalence of advanced healthcare infrastructure and increase in number of key players offering novel therapeutics, thereby driving the growth of market. The upsurge in healthcare expenditure in the emerging economies is anticipated to offer lucrative opportunities for the market expansion. However, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to witness notable growth, owing to increasing number of cancer cases resulting in rise in use of opioids, increase in awareness campaign and rise in investments for development of effective drugs for treating opioid induced constipation (OIC), thus, driving the growth of market during the forecast period.

According to Onkar Sumant, Manager, Healthcare at Allied Market Research, “rise in prevalence of opioid induced constipation (OIC) cases, increase in the aging population, and rise in awareness regarding opioid induced constipation (OIC) in developing countries such as India and UK are some factors that boost the growth of the opioid induced constipation (OIC) drugs market.”

Key Findings Of The Study

• On the basis of drug type, the mu-opioid receptor antagonist segment was highest contributor to the market in 2021.
• On the basis of prescription type, prescribed drugs segment occupied highest share in 2021 and is expected to remain dominant during forecast period
• On the basis of distribution channel, the drug stores and retail pharmacies segment dominated the market in terms of revenue in 2021. However, the online providers segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
• Region wise, North America generated the largest revenue in 2021. However, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period.