Covering the US over-the-counter (OTC) pain management market, this report provides a complete analysis of the industry and consumer. What types of pain are most commonly experienced? Which OTC pain management solutions drive interest? Answer these questions and more.
See the Report Scope for an overview of the types of pain management solutions discussed in this report.
Topics Analyzed
- Frequency of pain experienced.
- Pain types and treatment of symptoms.
- OTC pain relief product utilization.
- Perceptions of common pain ingredients.
- Interest in emerging pain management solutions.
US OTC Pain Management Market Overview
While demand for pain relief remains essential, the industry saw a slight decline in 2023. In 2024, predictions indicate a decline for the second year. This is primarily attributable to consumer confidence in the economy, and with this, established brands are likely to remain steady due to long-standing market presence and other factors. Brands can stimulate growth through to 2029 by incorporating natural ingredients, and technology, into pain management solutions.
OTC Pain Management Market Insights
Experience of pain across demographics
For parents and younger audiences, pain is more often mental. Contrary to older consumers, these demographics experience stress-related pain and headaches at a greater percentage, making it key to consider the differing needs of those experiencing pain.
Notably, older consumers are more likely to report needing to treat more types of pain, indicating the potential for streamlining pain management solutions.
Pain management solutions sought
With the shift toward holistic health among many consumers, topical treatments are gaining in popularity. Offering more natural alternatives means they can be perceived as less intrusive on the body than oral medications. This reflects the growth of topical pain reliever usage where 10% more consumers are using them in 2024 than in 2023.
What’s Next For OTC Pain Management?
Pain is a frequent issue for many, with two-thirds experiencing pain once a week. Yet, only a third of pain medication consumers are trying to fix the root of their pain to avoid having to take pain medication in the future. As many consumers treat pain reactively, there is room for brands to look to proactive measures in pain management education and solutions, offering empowerment and control.
Buy the full report for a complete analysis of the US OTC pain management market.
You may also be interested in our Managing Common Illness Report, which offers a wider illness perspective, and a further look at the US OTC industry.
Report Scope
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.
Excluded from this Report are:
- Antihistamines, decongestants, sinus, cough, cold and flu remedies.
- OTC analgesics and muscle/body support and electrotherapy products purchased through health care providers, gyms/health clubs and other non-retail establishments.
Expert Analysis
Health industry expert Lindsay Cameron delivers in-depth insights with this report.Â
Brands dedicated to enhancing proactive pain management can ignite curiosity in the category, allowing consumers to experience relief both physically and mentally.
Lindsay Cameron
Analyst, Health and Wellness
Collapse All
-
Executive Summary
- What you need to know
- What consumers want and why
- Market size & forecast
- Market predictions
- Opportunities
-
Market Dynamics
- Market context
- Market drivers
- Inflation has eased, but consumer confidence is still rebuilding
- Graph 1: consumer price index change from previous period, 2020-2024
- Graph 2: consumer sentiment index, 2021-24
- Pain isn’t just physical
- FDA issues alert advising against specific topical pain relievers due to health risks
- Market size and forecast
- Retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products
- Retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products, at current prices
- Retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products, at inflation-adjusted prices
- OTC pain management market sees minimal movement
- Market segmentation
- Internal analgesics continue to dominate market; externals and devices struggle
- Graph 3: total retail sales and forecast of OTC pain management products, by segment, at current prices, 2019-29
- Retail sales of OTC pain management products, by segment
- Market/brand share
- Most major players see small decline in  MULO sales
- Sales of OTC pain management products, by company
- Sales of internal analgesics, by company
- Sales of external analgesics, by company
- Sales of muscle/body support devices, by company
-
Consumer Insights
- Consumer fast facts
- Pain frequency, types and treatment
- Pain is frequent, with 85% of people experiencing It monthly and 66% weekly
- Graph 4: frequency of experiencing pain, 2024
- Consumers most often treat body aches and pains
- Graph 5: any treatment of pain type, 2024
- Consumers are still taking a reactive approach
- Graph 6: when pain type is treated, 2024
- The presence of multiple pain types escalates with age
- Graph 7: number of pain types experienced, by age, 2024
- For parents and younger audiences, sources of pain are mental
- Graph 8: any treatment for head or stress related pain, by age, 2024
- Graph 9: any treatment for head or stress related pain, by parental status and gender, 2024
- Education can be the key to proactive period pain management
- Graph 10: when menstrual pain is treated, by generation and gender, 2024
- Pain-relief product usage
- Over-the-counter pain relievers are widely used
- Graph 11: usage of pain reliever types, 2024
- Consumers turn to oral OTC pain management solutions as they experience multiple types of pain
- Graph 12: usage of pain relief type , by number of pain types experienced, 2024
- Holistic health endeavors drive topical pain relief usage
- Graph 13: usage of topical pain relievers, 2023-24
- Private labels can seize the opportunity to connect with the emerging topical pain relief category
- Brands can connect with parents prioritizing safer, healthier pain relief alternatives
- Graph 14: usage of non-oral pain OTC, by parental status, 2024
- Perceptions of common pain ingredients
- Consumers have the most positive associations with acetaminophen and NSAIDs
- Graph 15: associations with OTC pain ingredients, 2024
- Acetaminophen and NSAIDs are consumers’ tried and true ingredients that they trust
- Graph 16: select associations with OTC pain ingredients, 2024
- Traditional ingredients for oral pain relievers associated with multi-symptom relief
- Graph 17: multi-symptom relief associations with acetaminophen and NSAIDs, by age, 2024
- Merge traditional pain relief components with CBD and homeopathic ingredients to build more trust
- Graph 18: unfamiliarity with pain ingredients, by age, 2024
- Interest in emerging pain management solutions
- Half of consumers are interested in the integration of beauty and personal care elements within pain management
- Integrating pain relief into daily self-care
- Graph 19: interest in beauty and personal care otc pain aids, by age and gender, 2024
- Integrating pain relief into daily self-care
- Make pain relief more personalized through technology
- Help balance sustainability through savings
- Graph 20: interest in refillable containers in OTC pain management, by generation, 2024
- Attitudes toward pain management
- Consumers’ limited attitudes toward pain give brands the opportunity to offer empowerment and control over pain
- Graph 21: attitudes toward pain management, 2024
- Changing seniors’ views on pain management from acceptance to action
- Graph 22: select attitudes toward pain management, by age, 2024
- Absorbine Pro motivates individuals to pursue their passions, pain free
- Integrating pain relief and personal care to enhance older women’s wellbeing
- Graph 23: agreement that managing pain is a form of self-care, by generation and gender, 2024
- Integrating pain relief and personal care to enhance older women’s wellbeing
- Cater to parents’ search for the best pain relief for them and their children
- Graph 24: have tried a new otc pain medication in the past 12 months, by parental status and gender, 2024
- Generic brands can check all of parents’ boxes at a more-affordable cost
-
Innovation and Marketing Trends
- Launch activity and innovation
- Icy hot launches Pro Massaging Balm
- WAT Medical’s Headaterm 2 simplifies access to migraine prevention
- Knee-pain-prevention activewear
- Marketing and advertising
- Serving up pain relief off the court
- Destigmatizing period pain: using education to encourage more to seek relief
- Brands are adopting the responsibility of amplifying voices that have historically been overlooked
- Opportunities
- Push consumers to take control over their pain
- Enhancing OTC pain relief products through ingredients
-
Appendix
- Market definition
- Consumer research methodology
- Generations
- Abbreviations and terms
- OTC pain remedy NETS
- Fan Chart
- Forecast methodology
- Forecast fan chart methodology
Market Intelligence Made Easier With Mintel
The first Mintel Market Intelligence report was published over 50 years ago. Since then, we have provided our unique insights and understanding of consumers, innovation and global markets to thousands of customers worldwide. Here’s why our customers rely on Mintel:
- Gain a comprehensive, 360-degree view of the market: Mintel reports blend consumer research, market forecasts, product innovation tracking, and competitive analysis, allowing businesses to see every angle of their industry and identify new opportunities quickly.
- Make decisions with confidence, grounded in robust data: Each report draws on up-to-date, reliable information from trusted sources and industry experts, ensuring your strategies are based on solid evidence rather than speculation.
- Benefit from expert analysis and practical recommendations: Mintel’s reports are written by experienced analysts who interpret complex data and provide clear, actionable insights you can trust to guide your next moves.
- Stay ahead with actionable intelligence on market trends and consumer behaviour: By combining fresh research with long-term market monitoring, our reports help businesses anticipate changes and adapt strategically. So you’re prepared to make informed decisions and drive growth.
What goes into a Mintel Market Intelligence Report?
Curious about how a Market Intelligence report comes together? We like to think of it as building a detailed puzzle. We start with individual pieces: data from consumers, market statistics, industry trends, and online conversations. Then our expert analysts add world-class human insight and industry knowledge. The pieces are assembled to reveal a clear, comprehensive picture of a market.
The Four Pillars of Our Research
We use a combination of four main research methods when creating our reports, each adding a valuable perspective:
- Consumer Research: Direct surveys with real people, giving us clear, current insights into what people think and do.
- Desk Research: In-depth review of trusted data sources. We use this rich database, plus powerful internal tools that track new products and market sizes, to detect trends and guide forecasts.
- Trade Research: Insights from conversations with industry experts. Their real-world experience helps us understand what’s happening behind the scenes.
- Brand and Social Media Research: Analysis of online opinions and trends. This lets us spot trends, measure brand sentiment, and capture feedback in real time, adding further depth to our research.
Bringing It All Together
Each of these four pillars provides a different piece of the puzzle. Consumer research tells us what customers think, desk research provides the factual framework, trade research offers an insider’s view, and social media analysis reveals public sentiment.
Our expert analysts are skilled in weaving these diverse data streams together. They apply a range of quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to uncover the deeper story, connecting the dots to deliver clear, actionable insights. This comprehensive, multi-layered process is how we transform raw data into a market intelligence report you can trust to inform your most important business decisions.
For a closer look at a Mintel Market Intelligence Report, take a look at the sample PDF report below:
Please Note: All of the figures, graphs, and tables in this sample report have been redacted.
$ 4,995 (Excl.Tax)
-
Download today with instant access
Pay via credit card or invoice (net 30 payment terms)
-
Multiple formats provided
We send a PDF, Powerpoint and Excel Databook straight to your inbox. An interactive version of the report is also available on our online platform
-
Interactive databook included
Focus on the data that matters most to you with a customisable databook avaliable on our platform
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn moreTrusted by global industry leaders
At Jackman, we believe that powerful strategies are based on human insight. Mintel’s leading-edge reports and insights into consumer attitudes and behaviors are an important input as we develop and execute strategy.
Alana Gavin, VP Research and Insights, Jackman
When I’m investigating specific sectors I tend to use Mintel reports for their forecasting, which I’ve always found to be very accurate.
They also offer really broad and deep coverage in their reports. They are very, very detailed. For example, we were able to gain insight across a wide range of business areas from just one report, proving that Mintel is excellent value for money.
So overall, it’s the level of detail and the quality of forecasting that really stand out for me.
Rebecca Green, Market Insight Manager, Wincanton
We use Mintel to inform our thinking and reinforce strategy. If you’re presenting new ideas, it’s essential they are underpinned by robust data and evidence, and clearly rooted in fact.
Mintel gives us all that. It’s a great brand and one that is trusted by clients.
Marie Stafford, European Director, The Innovation Group, VML
There is no question that Mintel is the go-to resource for the best quality market research, but I did not think it was an affordable option for Abacus Marketing to consider. As a small marketing agency, we only work with a few new clients each year.
However, we have a very high-end consultative approach to our work, so we really do need a partner like Mintel to provide the big agency experience we are always aiming to deliver. Our clients come from an incredibly diverse range of industry sectors, so we obviously need access to market research reports from a very wide spectrum of marketplaces – and that is precisely what we got.
Stephen Taylor-Brown, Managing Director, Abacus
We utilize Mintel Reports, Trends and Comperemedia to mine for insights across the numerous business verticals that Epsilon serves, such as CPG, automotive, telecom, healthcare/pharma, retail and financial services.
By integrating Mintel insight into new business opportunities, we have been able to gain the competitive edge necessary to advance partnerships with global brands and key business players.
For our organization, it’s about depth and breadth. Having one without the other doesn’t enable success in our business.
Virginia Harvey, Secondary Research Manager, Epsilon
Next Starts Here
Whatever your business needs, we have the solution. From market intelligence reports to customised growth strategies.
Learn more
