Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Market is expected reach US$ 38.38 Billion by 2031

Nonselective NSAIDs Segment Based on Material Fuels Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Market Growth

According to our new research study on “Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Market Forecast to 2031 – Global Analysis – by Drug Class, Route of Administration, Indication, and Distribution Channel,” the market size is expected to increase from US$ 24.82 billion in 2024 to US$ 38.38 billion by 2031; the market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.5% during 2025–2031. Major factors driving the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market growth include the rising prevalence of arthritis, osteoarthritis, migraines, and other chronic pain conditions.

Per the World Health Organization (WHO), osteoarthritis affected ~528 million people worldwide in 2019, marking an increase of 113% since 1990. ~73% of individuals with osteoarthritis are older than 55 years, and 60% of those affected are female. The WHO reported that in 2020, 619 million people were globally affected by lower back pain, with projections suggesting this number could reach 843 million by 2050.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Market, by Region, 2024(%)

Source: The Insight Partners Analysis

Advancements in cancer treatment have led to an increasing number of cancer survivors who often deal with chronic, painful chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). According to the meta-analysis published in Regional Anesthesia and Pain Medicine in January 2025, 77 studies involving ~11,000 cancer patients found a pooled prevalence of 41.2% for chronic painful CIPN. The rates are higher among patients receiving platinum or taxane chemotherapy, with those diagnosed with lung cancer exhibiting the highest prevalence at 60.26%. Similarly, chronic neuropathic pain, a complex condition often resulting from nerve damage, contributes significantly to the global burden of chronic pain and can be treated with NSAIDs and related analgesics.

Personalized and precision medicine approaches in NSAIDs use are projected to be a key driver shaping nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) market trends in the near future.

Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) Market Analysis Based on Segmental Evaluation:

Based on drug class, the market is segmented into nonselective NSAIDS and cox-2 selective NSAIDs. The nonselective NSAIDS segment held the largest nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market share in 2024 and is expected to register the highest CAGR during 2025–2031. Nonselective COX-2 inhibitors, including ibuprofen and naproxen, are increasingly in demand due to their broad-spectrum anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. They effectively reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting both COX-1 and COX-2 enzymes. Despite the gastrointestinal risks associated with COX-1 inhibition, these NSAIDs are still preferred because they are widely accessible, cost-effective, and well-researched for various conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and acute musculoskeletal injuries.

Selective COX-2 inhibitors are suitable alternatives for patients at high risk of GI complications. Clinical studies have shown that celecoxib, for example, causes significantly fewer gastric ulcers compared to traditional analgesics while maintaining comparable efficacy. Although some early COX-2 inhibitors were withdrawn due to cardiovascular concerns, ongoing development efforts aim to optimize the balance between efficacy and safety, thereby sustaining interest in this drug class.

Celecoxib (Celebrex) and etoricoxib (Arcoxia) are COX-2 inhibitors that are increasingly prescribed as alternatives to traditional NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) due to their improved safety profiles, particularly regarding reduced gastrointestinal side effects.

By route of administration, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market is classified into oral, injectable and topical. The oral segment held the largest share of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market in 2024 and is expected to register a higher CAGR during 2025–2031.

In terms of indication, the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market is segmented into arthritis, migraine, ophthalmic diseases, and others. The arthritis segment dominated the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market in 2024 and is anticipated to register the highest CAGR during 2025–2031.

The nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market, based on distribution channel, is segmented into hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies and online channels. The retail pharmacies segment held the largest share of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market in 2024.

The scope of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market report includes an assessment of the market performance in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South and Central America, and the Middle East and Africa. In terms of revenue, North America dominated the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market share in 2024. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely prescribed across the globe. As per an article “Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug (NSAID) Toxicity,” published in September 2023, in the US, over 70 million NSAID prescriptions are written annually. When OTC usage is factored in, the US alone consumes more than 30 billion doses of NSAIDs each year.

Pharmaceutical firms are introducing safer and more user‑friendly NSAID forms, such as topical gels, extended‑release oral tablets, and intravenous combo therapies. For instance, the FDA has approved OTC diclofenac sodium topical gel 1% (Voltaren alternative) that provides localized pain relief with fewer gastrointestinal side effects. In April 2024, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. secured FDA approval for a combined acetaminophen‑ibuprofen OTC tablet, bioequivalent to Advil Dual Action, further expanding consumer choices. In February 2024, Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC launched COMBOGESIC IV, an intravenous acetaminophen‑ibuprofen blend in the US, aimed at opioid‑free post‑surgical pain relief.

Pfizer, Bayer AG, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, Haleon plc, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Novartis AG, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Viatris Inc are among the leading companies profiled in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) market report.

In terms of geography, the market is categorized into North America (US, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (France, Germany, UK, Spain, Italy, and the Rest of Europe), Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and the Rest of Asia Pacific), the Middle East & Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UAE, and the Rest of Middle East & Africa), and South & Central America (Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South & Central America).

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