The U.S. pain management drugs market size was valued at USD 31.12 billion in 2023 and is projected to surpass around USD 46.51 billion by 2033, registering a CAGR of 4.1% over the forecast period of 2024 to 2033.
Pain is defined as an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience conveyed to the brain by sensory neurons, which causes actual or potential tissue damage. The length of the pain can range from acute pain for short term to chronic pain for long term. Acute pain is a sudden onset of pain while chronic pain is caused by aged bone & joint conditions, nerve damage, or injury. Pain management involves reducing or treating pain by using a given range of medications. Pain management is a medical approach that draws on disciplines in science and alternative healing to study the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of pain.
The U.S. pain management drugs market was hampered during the lockdown period owning to disruption in supply chain of pain medications. During pandemic, decline in surgeries and delay in approval of various novel pain medications hampered the growth of U.S. pain management market
Growth & innovations in the pharmaceutical industry for the manufacturing of pain-relieving drugs owing to massive pool of health-conscious consumers creates an opportunity for the U.S. pain management drugs market. Also, the growth of the U.S. pain management drugs market is expected to be driven by rise in pain disorders, availability of improved healthcare infrastructure, increase in unmet healthcare needs, rise in prevalence of chronic diseases cases in geriatric population, and surge in demand for effective pain medicines with less side effects. Furthermore, the healthcare industry in the U.S. is developing at a significant rate, owing to rise in demand for enhanced healthcare services, significant investments by the government to improve healthcare infrastructure, and development of the medical tourism industry in various cities of the U.S.
As elderly people experience chronic pain due to joint disorders, various surgeries various pain medications are prescribed, which contributes to growth of U.S. pain management drugs market. In U.S., rise in number of diabetic neuropathies is observed, which leads to pain, thus, driving the market growth. For instance, according to an article published in National Library of Medicine 2021, increase in diabetic neuropathic cases was observed from 30 million in 2019 to 85 million in U.S. which drives the market growth.
Further, increase in incidence of sport injuries is expected to fuel the growth of market. For instance, according to article published in National Library of Medicine 2021, stated that 3.5 million injuries were reported in 2020 with 21% being brain injuries. In addition, rise in prevalence of low back pain cases in adults is increasing contributing to market growth. For instance, according to article published in Springer 2022, stated that 54% adults suffer from back pain with 24 – 80% reoccurrence pain disorder in one year.
In addition, surge in government spending on pain management treatment further fuels the market growth. For instance, according to Journal of Pain 2020, spending on chronic pain in the U.S. in one year is usually $635 billion. Furthermore, various organizations along with the government provide funding for pain management, which is anticipated to contribute to market growth. For instance, according to article published, Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs 2022, stated that funding of $250,000 is provided to support and promote innovative, high-impact research for the development and management of chronic pain.
Further, rise in prevalence of muscle strain disorders such as neck pain, shoulder, groin pain, and hamstring also require pain medications. For instance, according to article published in National Library of Medicine 2021, patients with muscle strain are prescribed NSAIDs and acetaminophen for 2 to 4 weeks, depending upon the pain condition. Thus, such muscle disorders fuel the growth of the market. In addition, rise in prevalence of acute appendicitis in the U.S. is anticipated to contribute to growth of pain management drugs market. For instance, according to article published in Single care 2021, stated that around 7 in 100 people in U.S., will experience acute appendicitis at some point and is usually common in age between 10 to 30.
Various organizations along with government are counselling people regarding the pain disorders with proper management. E-commerce (electronic commerce) has become a vital tool for small and large businesses globally, due to rise in preference of consumers for online shopping over traditional purchasing methods. Various animations through health apps to educate people regarding dose and frequency of pain medication has contributed to growth of this U.S. pain management drugs market. Moreover, increase in promotional activities by manufacturers and growth in awareness for proper treatment medications for pain disorders among the general population are expected to fuel their adoption in the near future.
Further, availability of various alternative therapies like pain management devices chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture is anticipated to hamper the growth of market. In addition, various side effects of drugs, misuse and habit-forming drugs restrain the market growth. Furthermore, various new advancements like innovative technologies and strategies to formulate drugs which are abuse-deterrent and having long duration effect provide lucrative opportunities to the market players.
The outbreak of COVID-19 has disrupted workflows in the health care sector around the world. The disease has forced a number of industries to shut their doors temporarily, including several sub-domains of health care. The U.S. pain management drugs market experienced a decline in 2021 due to global economic recession led by COVID-19. In addition, the COVID-19 outbreak disrupted the supply chain of pain drugs across various end-user industries like hospitals and pharmacies.
However, the market is anticipated to witness recovery in 2021, and show stable growth for U.S. pain management drugs market in the coming future. This is attributed to the increase in adoption of various pain medications with less side effects, rise in number of pending surgeries, increase diabetes disorders, proper counselling for post operative pain conditions and drug approvals for new pain disorders, drive the market growth.
| Report Attribute | Details |
| Market Size in 2024 | USD 32.40 Billion |
| Market Size by 2033 | USD 46.51 Billion |
| Growth Rate From 2024 to 2033 | CAGR of 4.1% |
| Base Year | 2023 |
| Forecast Period | 2024 to 2033 |
| Segments Covered | Drug Class, Indication, distribution channel |
| Market Analysis (Terms Used) | Value (US$ Million/Billion) or (Volume/Units) |
| Report Coverage | Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
| Key Companies Profiled | Teva Pharmaceutical, Pfizer, Abbott, Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Endo International, GlaxoSmithKline, AstraZeneca, Depomed, Merck, Novartis, and Others. |
NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) dominate the U.S. pain management drugs market. These include medications such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib, widely used for conditions like arthritis, acute musculoskeletal injuries, and dental pain. Their broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, combined with over-the-counter availability and favorable safety profiles (compared to opioids), have made NSAIDs a staple in both acute and chronic pain management. Their affordability, rapid onset, and inclusion in clinical guidelines further strengthen their dominance in the market.
However, anticonvulsants are emerging as the fastest-growing drug class, particularly in managing neuropathic and chronic pain syndromes. Drugs such as gabapentin and pregabalin, originally developed for epilepsy, are increasingly prescribed off-label or on-label for diabetic neuropathy, post-herpetic neuralgia, and fibromyalgia. Their ability to modulate pain signals through calcium channels without inducing euphoria or addiction makes them attractive alternatives to opioids. With expanding clinical research validating their efficacy in multiple pain models, and growing prescriber preference for non-opioid options, anticonvulsants are expected to see sustained growth over the coming decade.
Arthritic pain is the leading indication, accounting for a substantial share of the market due to the high prevalence of osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and spondyloarthritis in the aging U.S. population. Pain management in arthritis often requires long-term medication, with NSAIDs, corticosteroids, and selective COX-2 inhibitors being primary agents. Given the chronic nature of the disease and the mobility implications, effective pain control is central to quality of life. As arthritis remains one of the most commonly diagnosed chronic diseases in the U.S., demand for pain relief in this category remains consistently high.
On the other hand, neuropathic pain is the fastest-growing segment, driven by the rising incidence of diabetes, cancer, spinal injuries, and post-surgical nerve damage. Neuropathic pain is notoriously difficult to treat, often requiring specialized agents like anticonvulsants, antidepressants, or dual-mechanism drugs. As more patients live longer with chronic conditions, and with growing recognition of nerve-related pain syndromes, the need for targeted and novel analgesics in this category is expanding. Additionally, pain associated with chemotherapy and radiation has spurred R&D into new neuropathic treatments, creating a strong pipeline for growth.
Hospital pharmacies continue to dominate distribution, especially for high-potency analgesics and injectable therapies administered during post-operative care, trauma management, or oncology treatment. Hospitals are often the point of first contact for patients in acute pain scenarios, and thus account for a large share of opioid and injectable NSAID use. Moreover, institutional adherence to strict prescribing protocols and integrated electronic medical records helps manage complex pain regimens more effectively within hospital systems.
In contrast, online pharmacies are the fastest-growing distribution channel, fueled by changing consumer behavior, the expansion of telehealth services, and increasing comfort with digital prescriptions post-COVID-19. With chronic pain patients requiring monthly refills and often struggling with mobility, mail-order and online pharmacy models offer convenience, privacy, and sometimes cost advantages. The rise of e-prescription platforms and digital health startups focusing on chronic pain management has further boosted this trend. Regulatory shifts allowing controlled substance e-prescriptions (with safeguards) have also facilitated growth in this segment.
The U.S. remains the largest and most dynamic market for pain management drugs globally. Its unique healthcare structure, high chronic disease burden, and aging demographics create a favorable environment for both branded and generic drug sales. The U.S. is also home to the majority of innovative pain drug development, with strong clinical trial infrastructure and FDA support for fast-tracking non-opioid pain relief alternatives.
However, the regulatory landscape is among the strictest. The FDA, DEA, and state health departments closely monitor and restrict opioid dispensing, leading to greater complexity in marketing, reimbursement, and distribution. As a result, pharmaceutical companies must align closely with policy trends, maintain transparent supply chains, and demonstrate meaningful differentiation through safety and efficacy data.
In terms of payer dynamics, coverage for chronic pain drugs—particularly branded non-opioid therapies—depends heavily on outcomes-based evidence, cost-effectiveness models, and inclusion in payer formularies. As healthcare shifts toward value-based care, pain management solutions that reduce hospital readmissions and improve functional outcomes will gain commercial favor.
March 2025: Eli Lilly announced positive results from its Phase III trial of a novel monoclonal antibody therapy for chronic lower back pain, marking a potential breakthrough in non-opioid therapeutics.
January 2025: Teva Pharmaceuticals launched an authorized generic version of Celebrex (celecoxib) in the U.S., expanding affordable access to NSAIDs for arthritic pain.
November 2024: Pfizer submitted an NDA for its Nav1.7 inhibitor compound, a non-opioid molecule aimed at treating peripheral neuropathy, with FDA priority review expected.
October 2024: AbbVie expanded its pain portfolio with the acquisition of a biotech startup developing TRPV1-targeting analgesics, valued at $750 million.
August 2024: Endo International reached a $600 million settlement in opioid litigation cases, continuing industry-wide efforts to resolve legacy opioid liabilities.
This report forecasts revenue growth at country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2021 to 2033. For this study, Nova one advisor, Inc. has segmented the U.S. Pain Management Drugs market.
By Drug Class
By Indication
By Distribution Channel
Cross-segment Market Size and Analysis for Mentioned Segments
Additional Company Profiles
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Additional Countries (Apart
From Mentioned Countries)
Country/Region-specific Report
Go To Market Strategy
Region Specific Market DynamicsRegion Level Market Share Import Export AnalysisProduction AnalysisOthers