This report offers a complete analysis of the US OTC pain management market. Our expert health analyst dives deep into market performance, segment performance, consumer usage and preferences, and strategies for OTC pain relief brands to capitalise on the current market and consumer.
Below, we summarise the key topics analysed and offer handpicked insights from the report.
Key Topics AnalysedÂ
- How often consumers are experiencing pain and the type of pain experienced.
- The most common methods of pain management.
- Perceptions of pain remedies and pain management.
- Factors most important when purchasing OTC pain remedies.
US OTC Pain Management Market Overview
Despite the consistent need for pain relief among American consumers, inflation has caused a shift in product usage and therefore category spend. This has resulted in the sector experiencing minimal growth in 2023.
Meanwhile, segment performance shows internal analgesics are dominating market share, while external analgesics and muscle/body devices struggle. Lack of innovation, low purchase incentive, and consumer preference for medicated pain relief may be the cause of this.
This report offers a market size breakdown including historical and forecasted data for US OTC pain management products (total sales). Additionally, segment performance is covered.
What’s Next for the OTC Pain Relief Market?
Brands must acknowledge that consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the variety of solutions available to them when it comes to pain management. Alongside this, Americans are also watching cost in this sector, with the wide availability of private label posing a threat to mainstream brands. Technological advancements could also temper growth, appealing to younger generations that seek alternative methods.
As consumers take a more holistic approach to wellness, they will seek products that support mental, physical, and emotional health. Within pain management, category players should focus on improving overall wellbeing as opposed to only treating physical symptoms.
With this report, you’ll gain access to the latest consumer trends and relevant market opportunities based on the best available data and research. You may also find browsing our Healthcare and Medical Market Research useful.
Products and Brands Covered
This Report focuses on analgesics and pain management devices that are available over the counter/without a prescription. For the purposes of this Report, Mintel has segmented the OTC analgesics and pain management devices market as follows:
- OTC internal analgesics, such as acetaminophen, aspCircanan, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and magnesium salicylate.
- OTC external analgesics, such as rubs, topical creams/ sprays, and patches/wraps with heating/cooling properties.
- Muscle/body support devices, such as muscle sleeves and bandages and compression hosiery.
Electrotherapy devices, such as TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) units, are also covered in this Report, but not included in the market size, forecast, or market breakdown.
A number of key players and private label brands are discussed within the scope of the report analysis.
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Expert Analysis from a Health Specialist
This report, written by Rebecca Watters, a leading health analyst, delivers in-depth commentary and analysis to highlight current trends in the US OTC pain management market, adding expert context to the numbers.
The vast majority of consumers deal with pain on a regular basis, and often turn to familiar OTC products. Pain is a constant that is not slated to decline. To meet diverse consumers in their quest to address pain symptoms, while also improving overall wellness, it will be crucial to tap into alternative and holistic remedies, including new technologies that peak the interests of future shoppers.
Rebecca Watters
Associate Director – Household & Health
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Overview
- What you need to know
- This Report looks at the following areas
- Definition
- Market context
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Executive Summary
- Top Takeaways
- Consumer trends
- Pain is widespread creating far-reaching need for diverse pain management solutions
- Figure 1: Frequency of experiencing pain, 2023
- Age-related, chronic pain increases with age
- Figure 2: Source of pain, by generation, 2023
- Active ingredients foundation of category, yet younger shoppers seek clean formulations
- Figure 3: Purchase factors, by generation 2023
- Competitive strategies
- J&J strengthens lead as others struggle
- Private label benefits from consumer focus on value
- Emerging tech will present new alternatives for pain management
- Market predictions
- Slow growth forecast through 2028
- Figure 4: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of OTC pain management products, at current prices, 2018-28
- Figure 5: OTC pain management Category outlook, 2023-28
- Opportunities
- Embrace mental health to broaden reach and usage occasions
- Take steps toward sustainability through package innovation
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Market Size and Forecast
- OTC pain management market sees lackluster growth
- Figure 6: Total US sales and fan chart forecast of OTC pain management products, at current prices, 2018-28
- Figure 7: Total US retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products, at current prices, 2018-28
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- Figure 8: Total US retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products, at inflation-adjusted prices, 2018-28
- OTC pain management market sees lackluster growth
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Segment Performance
- Internal analgesics dominate market share; externals and devices struggle
- Figure 9: Total US retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products, by segment, at current prices, 2018-28
- Figure 10: Total US retail sales of OTC pain management products, by segment, at current prices, 2021 and 2023
- Internal analgesics dominate market share; externals and devices struggle
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Market Drivers
- Inflation has declined, but consumer confidence remains shaky
- Figure 11: Consumer price index, change from the previous month, 2021-2023
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- Figure 12: U.S. Consumer Confidence, January 2007–May 2023
- CBD is still emerging in the health and wellness space
- Inflation has declined, but consumer confidence remains shaky
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Key Players
- J&J maintains grip on OTC pain market; competitors fall behind
- Sales of OTC pain management products by company
- Figure 13: Multi-outlet sales of OTC pain management products, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2022 and 2023
- Motrin stand out in well-performing internal analgesic segment
- Figure 14: Motrin Dual Action with Tylenol Tablets
- Salonpas bright spot in external analgesic segment
- Private label performs well across segments
- Figure 15: Select private label OTC internal analgesics
- Figure 16: Multi-outlet sales of private label OTC pain management products, by leading companies, rolling 52 weeks 2022 and 2023
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Competitive Strategies and Market Opportunities
- Targeted messaging approach speaks to lifestage pains
- Target GenX and older with no-nonsense, long lasting oral pain relief products
- Figure 17: Tylenol social media post, 2021
- Millennials will respond to themes of support and reassurance
- Cabinet Health brings sustainability to OTC space
- Figure 18: Cabinet Health refillable containers
- Emerging wellness tech will advance pain management
- Nerivio receives FDA approval for migraine treatment
- Endorphin stimulation for Fibromyalgia pain management
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The OTC Pain Management Consumer – Fast Facts
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Frequency and Sources of Pain
- Pain is pervasive and widespread
- Figure 19: Frequency of experiencing pain, 2023
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- Figure 20: Source of pain, 2023
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- Figure 21: Source of pain, by pain frequency, 2023
- Address the mental and physical symptoms of stress to support women
- Figure 22: Source of pain, by gender, 2023
- Parents need added support to manage pain
- Figure 23: Source of pain, by parental status, 2023
- Pain is pervasive and widespread
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Product Usage
- Use of OTC pain relievers is substantial, echoing market dominance
- Figure 24: Pain product usage, 2023
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- Figure 25: Select sources of pain, by usage of select pain products, 2023
- Blur the lines with personal care to deliver pain relief for women
- Figure 26: Usage of select products, by gender,, 2023
- Externals and alternatives should focus on parents
- Figure 27: Usage of select products, by parental status, 2023
- Use of OTC pain relievers is substantial, echoing market dominance
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Purchase Factors
- Consumers want pain relief fast
- Figure 28: Purchase factors, 2023
- Performance for a good price: underscoring the appeal of private label
- Figure 29: TURF Analysis – Purchase drivers, 2023
- Women seek a deal, men rely on brand recognition
- Figure 30: Select purchase factors, by gender, 2023
- Parents more focused on natural, less on free-from claims
- Figure 31: Select purchase factors, by parental status, 2023
- Consumers want pain relief fast
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Attitudes toward Pain Management
- Current habits limit participation
- Figure 32: Attitudes toward pain management, 2023
- Empower and educate men to increase engagement
- Figure 33: Select attitudes toward pain management, by gender, 2023
- Young adults embrace preventative practices
- Figure 34: Attitudes toward pain management – interest in preventative and topical products, by age, 2023
- Current habits limit participation
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Appendix – Data Sources and Abbreviations
- Data sources
- Sales data
- Forecast
- Consumer survey data
- Abbreviations and terms
- Abbreviations
- Terms
- TURF Methodology
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Appendix – The Market
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- Figure 35: Total US retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products, by segment, at current prices, 2018-23
- Figure 36: Average annual household spending on OTC pain management, 2018-23
- Figure 37: Total US retail sales and forecast of internal analgesics, at current prices, 2018-28
- Figure 38: Total US retail sales and forecast of external analgesics, at current prices, 2018-28
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- Figure 39: Total US retail sales and forecast of muscle/body support, at current prices, 2018-28
- Figure 40: Total US retail sales of OTC pain management products, by channel, at current prices, 2018-23
- Figure 41: Total US retail sales of OTC pain management products, by channel, at current prices, 2021 and 2023
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Appendix – Companies and Brands
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- Figure 42: Multi-outlet sales of internal analgesics, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2022 and 2023
- Figure 43: Multi-outlet sales of external analgesics, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2022 and 2023
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- Figure 44: Multi-outlet sales of muscle/body support devices, by leading companies and brands, rolling 52 weeks 2022 and 2023
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Appendix – The Consumer
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- Figure 45: Perceptions of pain remedies, 2023
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- Figure 46: Table – TURF Analysis – Purchase drivers, 2023
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