Dextromethorphan Market Size (2024 - 2029)

Dextromethorphan Market Analysis

The dextromethorphan market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.1% over the forecast period.

• The outbreak of the pandemic significantly impacted the dextromethorphan market. The pandemic increased the rate of self-medication across the globe, which increased the intake rate of dextromethorphan. For instance, according to the research study published by MDPI in August 2022, Italy witnessed a rate of 69.2% for self-medication among the population during the pandemic. The same source also stated that the main factor for the increase in the self-medication rate during COVID-19 was the anxiety among people regarding contracting the COVID-19 infection. In addition, the increased rate of cough and cold among people during the pandemic also surged the demand for dextromethorphan.
• For instance, according to the NCBI study published in December 2021, around 70.0% of people with symptomatic COVID-19 developed cough and cold. The same source also stated that COVID-19 typically produced dry cough; thus, in such cases, over-the-counter antitussives (cough suppressants) like dextromethorphan were effective in treating non-productive or dry coughs by controlling the cough reflex. Thus, the market witnessed notable growth during the pandemic; however, as per the analysis, the market will observe stable growth due to increased patient awareness and the growing adoption of self-medication.
• The shift towards self-medication among people and the rise in the prevalence of coughs and colds across the globe are the major driving factors for the market. For instance, according to the NCBI study published in June 2022, the overall rate of self-medication was 44.9% among the global population.
• Medicines reported by the study for self-medication were antibiotics (79%), vitamins (64%), antimalarials (50%), herbal and natural products (50%), analgesics and antipyretics (43%), minerals and dietary supplements (43%), cold and allergy products (29%), corticosteroids (14%) and antivirals (7%). Dextromethorphan is a common and widely used drug to relieve cough caused by the common cold, the flu, or other conditions. In addition, dextromethorphan is a safe and effective ingredient in over 100 over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines. Thus, an increasing shift towards self-medication and the wide availability of dextromethorphan as OTC drugs are expected to impact the market growth over the forecast period positively.
• The increasing prevalence of cough and cold within the global population and the surge in the number of product launches by key players are also propelling market growth. For instance, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates published in January 2023, seasonal influenza leads to an estimated 650,000 deaths worldwide each year. The same source also stated that around 9.0 million annual flu cases were reported in the United States in 2021. Dextromethorphan is widely used to relieve coughs due to colds or influenza (flu) and relieves cough by acting directly on the brain.
• Thus, increasing flu cough & cold cases are anticipated to increase the demand for dextromethorphan, thereby surging the market growth. In addition, the launch of dextromethorphan-based drugs is also expected to boost the market expansion. For instance, in September 2021, in India, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries launched a novel formulation in cough management, Chericof 12 (dextromethorphan hydrobromide 30 mg and chlorpheniramine maleate 4 mg). Chericof 12, the first prescription cough syrup in India, gives relief for up to 12 hours and is manufactured using Polistirex technology for sustained drug release. Thus, such instances indicate that considerable market growth is anticipated over the forecast period.
• However, side effects associated with dextromethorphan drugs and medications are expected to restrain the market growth over the forecast period.

Dextromethorphan Industry Segmentation

As per the scope of the report, dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Dextromethorphan is used to temporarily relieve cough caused by the common cold, the flu, or other conditions. Dextromethorphan is in a class of medications called antitussives. It works by decreasing activity in the part of the brain that causes coughing.

The dextromethorphan market is segmented by dosage form (tablets, syrups, and other dosage forms), application (common cold, flu, sore throat, and other applications), distribution channel (retail pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, and other distribution channels), and geography. (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World).

The report offers the value (in USD) for the above-mentioned segments.