Postoperative Pain Management Market Size, Share, and Growth Forecast for 2025 - 2032

Postoperative Pain Management Market Size and Share Analysis

The global postoperative pain management market is estimated to reach a size of US$ 45.13 Bn in 2025. It is predicted to rise at a CAGR of 5.4% through the assessment period to attain a value of US$ 65.22 Bn by 2032.

Cancer cases, post-pandemic elective operations, delayed elderly recoveries, and rising demand for pain relief solutions are contributing to the postoperative pain management industry's growth. Even while opioid and non-opioid analgesics have evolved, the COVID-19 pandemic has made enhanced pain treatment even more necessary, despite the difficulty of striking a balance between side effects and efficacy.

In October 2024, the FDA authorized OLINVYK for the treatment of acute pain in adults, opening the door for novel painkillers with enhanced effectiveness and fewer adverse effects. Combining several pain management strategies, or multimodal analgesia, is becoming popular as a way to improve postoperative pain management. Companies like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson, and AbbVie are leading the way in developing unique analgesic therapies, leveraging research and development to meet diverse patient needs.

Key Highlights of the Market

• Emphasis on patient satisfaction scores and hospital performance metrics is influencing the implementation of effective pain protocols.
• Rise in minimally invasive surgeries necessitates the implementation of specific pain management strategies.
• The focus is shifting toward multimodal pain management strategies that combine various drug classes for improved efficacy.

• Integration of digital health technologies improves pain monitoring and medication management post-surgery.
• In 2025, oral route of administration is estimated to attain a market share of 38% due to rising development in prescriptions.
• Based on drugs, opioids are projected to account for a market share of 62% in 2025 due to their effectiveness in managing pain.
• North America's market share is predicted to reach 46% in 2025 due to developments in healthcare infrastructure.
• Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold a market share of 28.7% in 2025 with robust medicine development in the region.

Market Attributes	Key Insights
Postoperative Pain Management Market Size (2025E)	US$ 45.13 Bn
Projected Market Value (2032F)	US$ 65.22 Bn
Global Market Growth Rate (CAGR 2025 to 2032)	5.4%
Historical Market Growth Rate (CAGR 2019 to 2023)	4.3%

Development in Healthcare Infrastructure Offers Novel Prospects in North America

In 2025, North America, with the U.S. leading the region, holds a dominant position in the postoperative pain management market, accounting for 46% of share. North America is anticipated to record a CAGR of 5.2% from 2025 to 2032 due to efforts to lessen opioid dependency.

• Despite past concerns surrounding the opioid epidemic, which saw 191 million opioid prescriptions in 2017, the region is shifting toward more innovative and balanced approaches to pain management.
• The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new drugs aimed at enhancing postoperative pain management, including OLINVYK (oliceridine) and Zynrelef (bupivacaine and meloxicam).

Developments, coupled with a strong drug pipeline from companies like Purdue Pharma and Johnson & Johnson, are set to drive increased adoption of effective and safer postoperative pain relief solutions.

Asia Pacific Sees Steady Growth Amid Launch of Long-acting Formulations

In 2025, Asia Pacific is set to lead with 28.7% share, driven by government investments in healthcare infrastructure and medical innovation, in emerging economies like India and China. The region’s postoperative pain management market is projected to report a CAGR of 7.4% from 2025 to 2032.

The development of long-acting and sustained-release formulations, such as non-opioid analgesics and extended-release opioids, which provide prolonged pain relief while minimizing dosing frequency, is driving the postoperative pain management market's notable growth in Asia Pacific. For instance,

• In October 2024, Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical debuted a transdermal patch for postoperative pain management, which gained traction in South Korea and Japan. 

Use of Opioids to Aid in Pain Management in Healthcare Sector

Opioids are the preferred choice for managing postoperative pain due to their efficacy and versatility, with a market share of 62% anticipated in 2025, making these a preferred choice for healthcare providers. Although opioids are used to treat acute pain in 75% of significant surgeries, the healthcare sector is looking for alternatives due to worries about addiction and negative effects. For instance,

• In October 2024, the FDA authorized Trevena's OLINVYK, a new opioid analgesic that provides a more sophisticated pain management solution with maybe fewer side effects than conventional opioids.

Companies such as Purdue Pharma and Endo International are developing opioid alternatives to reduce abuse risks, yet opioids remain the dominant market for postoperative pain management due to their immediate relief capabilities.

Enhancements in Oral Medications to Exhibit Growth Prospects

The oral route of postoperative pain treatment is becoming immensely popular since it is cost-effective, easy to administer, and patient-complies. In 2025, the oral route of medication is expected to hold 38% of the global market.

Oral drugs are a popular choice for long-term pain management since they do not require injections and lessen the strain on medical facilities. Oral medicines are used in around 60% of postoperative pain treatment cases. For instance,

• In November 2024, Purdue Pharma introduced Xtampza ER, a medication that provides long-lasting pain relief with a lower risk of reliance.

Novel oral analgesics with improved effectiveness and fewer adverse effects are being developed by companies such as Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson.

Market Introduction and Trend Analysis

Increasing number of surgical procedures globally, especially among aging populations, has raised the demand for novel pain management solutions.

• According to the American College of Surgeons, more than 50 million surgical procedures are performed annually in the U.S. alone, with a growing emphasis on patient-centered care and improving hospital performance metrics.

Patient satisfaction influences pain management protocols, especially in minimally invasive surgeries, requiring procedure-specific approaches like long-acting local anesthetics and novel drug delivery systems to reduce opioid dependency. Companies like Pacira BioSciences have been at the forefront, offering alternatives such as EXPAREL, a long-acting bupivacaine product that provides sustained pain relief without the need for opioids.

Multimodal pain management strategies, combining drug classes, and digital health technologies like mobile apps and telemedicine are enhancing efficacy and reducing opioid use risks. Research into non-pharmacological methods, like nerve blocks and regional anesthesia, is advancing, offering cost-effective solutions to reduce hospital stays and improve patient recovery.

Historical Growth and Course Ahead

The global postoperative pain medication market recorded a CAGR of 4.3% in the historical period from 2019 to 2023. Increased road accidents and trauma injuries are predicted to increase the need for postoperative pain management. For example,

• Zyla Life Sciences extended its neurology, inflammatory, and pain products segment in May 2020 after acquiring Assertio Therapeutics, Inc.

Rising need for pain management medications is driving market expansion, with 100 million operations performed in the U.S. each year, as well as the increasing prevalence of cancer therapy-associated pain and the growing pediatric and elderly population having different procedures. Demand for pain management is estimated to record a considerable CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period between 2025 and 2032.

Market Growth Drivers

Rising Surgical Procedures to Propel Demand for Pain Management Solutions

The need for more difficult operations due to the aging population and the rise in surgical procedures worldwide have caused the postoperative pain management industry to grow in the forecast period. For instance,

• According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 17.7 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in 2022 alone. The global increase in orthopedic surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements, contributes to the need for effective pain relief.

Purdue Pharma, Johnson & Johnson, and Pfizer are focusing on developing innovative analgesic solutions, including non-opioid alternatives, to alleviate postoperative pain and ensure patient safety. FDA approvals of drugs like OLINVYK and Zynrelef enhance pain management, driven by increasing surgical interventions and the need for innovative strategies.

Rising Emphasis on Palliative Care to Create New Approaches

In order to effectively manage pain, the healthcare industry is moving toward comprehensive palliative care approaches that incorporate non-pharmacological and pharmaceutical techniques. Growth of palliative care services and facilities, such as the creation of a 10-bed pediatric palliative care wing at Sparsh Hospice in Hyderabad, India, is indicative of the change.

Increasing acknowledgment of palliative care's significance in controlling post-operative pain and enhancing patients' quality of life throughout recuperation phases reflects the shift. For instance,

• In 2021, 177 member facilities provided palliative care services to 58,700 patients, according to the Australian Palliative Care Outcomes Collaboration.

Patients may maintain active, satisfying lifestyles while successfully managing their pain because of this all-encompassing approach to pain treatment, which blends support structures with sophisticated care planning.

Market Restraining Factors

Concerns Regarding Overuse of Opioids May Negatively Affect the Industry

Distresses about the misuse of opioids are impacting the postoperative pain management market. For instance,

• According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, over 80% of the 191 million opioid prescriptions issued in 2017 were for acute pain, highlighting the risks of opioid dependency and side effects such as respiratory depression, addiction, and long-term cognitive impairments.

Non-opioid options, such as EXPAREL, a local anesthetic that relieves pain without the hazards of opioids, are being adopted by pharmaceutical firms and healthcare practitioners. In order to promote multimodal pain management that combines opioids with non-opioid medicines such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs, and nerve blocks, the FDA has authorized oliceridine for the treatment of acute pain. For example,

• Recent studies indicate a 15% reduction in opioid prescriptions for postoperative pain, showcasing the industry's movement towards safer, more sustainable pain management solutions.

Key Market Opportunities

Rising Research and Development Activities to Enhance Personalized Medication    

Research and development in pharmacogenomics is transforming postoperative care by enabling personalized pain management protocols based on patient genetics and risk factors, improving efficacy, and reducing adverse effects. For example,

• A 2024 study published in The Journal of Pain revealed that pharmacogenomic-guided therapy reduced opioid use by 25% while improving pain relief outcomes.

Companies such as Genemarkers and OneOme are integrating genetic testing into clinical workflows for precise medication selection and dosing, considering risk factors like opioid dependency history and surgical type. Cleveland Clinic utilizes multimodal approaches, including pharmacogenomics and non-pharmacological therapies, to enhance postoperative pain control, aligning with regulatory initiatives like the FDA's precision medicine push.

Hospital Pharmacies to Cater to the Multitude of Pain Medications    

In 2025, hospital pharmacists are envisioned to account for 63.4% of the postoperative pain treatment market, because they have a wide range of painkillers on hand and can quickly give patients following surgery access to pain medications. High-risk drugs like opioids, act as centralized distribution centers while upholding stringent inventory management and legal compliance.

The pharmacies' integration into healthcare facilities enables pharmacists and healthcare professionals to work together seamlessly to create individualized pain management strategies. In order to ensure a steady supply for both scheduled and emergency surgical procedures, they also keep sufficient stock levels of both regularly used and specialist pain management narcotics.

Competitive Landscape for the Postoperative Pain Management Market

Key participants in the postoperative pain management industry are increasingly taking part in strategic mergers and acquisitions as well as other consolidation tactics, such as the launch of new medications. Leading manufacturers are actively working on the development of cutting-edge technology and creative solutions in an attempt to improve their product offers globally. In addition to strengthening their market presence, these initiatives seek to improve patient treatment options and increase their ability to compete by utilizing synergies.

Recent Industry Developments

• In September 2024, Teva Pharmaceuticals announced positive results for the Phase 3 Subcutaneous Olanzapine Extended-Release Injection Study (SOLARIS) trial evaluating TEV-'749 in adult schizophrenia patients.
• In April 2024, Baxter International Inc. introduced five injectable medications in the U.S. These included the pre-filled syringe for Regadenoson Injection, USP, Ropivacaine Hydrochloride, Vancomycin, Vasopressin, and Norepinephrine Bitartrate.
• In February 2024, Visage Imaging introduced Visage Ease VP, an immersive imaging platform for Apple's augmented reality headset, enhancing diagnostic image examination and workflow, with UC San Diego Health piloting it.
• In January 2024, the University of Cincinnati launched a clinical trial to improve post-spinal surgery pain management, using blood and saliva samples to understand patients' drug reactions.

Postoperative Pain Management Market Report Scope

Attributes	Details
Forecast Period	2025 to 2032
Historical Data Available for	2019 to 2023
Market Analysis	US$ Billion for Value
Key Regions Covered	North America Europe East Asia South Asia and Oceania Middle East and Africa Latin America
Key Market Segments Covered	Drug Route of Administration Prescription Type Distribution Channel Region
Key Companies Profiled in the Report	Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd Novartis AG Allergan plc GlaxoSmithKline plc Mylan N.V. Johnson & Johnson Pfizer Inc. Purdue Pharma L.P Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc Endo International plc Baxter International Pacira Pharmaceuticals Inc. Cadila Healthcare Limited Cipla Limited Eisan LG Chem AbbVie Inc. Amgen Inc. Sun Pharmaceutical Ltd.
Report Coverage	Market Forecast and Trends Company Share Analysis Competitive Intelligence DROT Analysis Market Dynamics and Challenges Strategic Growth Initiatives
Customization and Pricing	Available upon request

Postoperative Pain Management Market Segmentation

By Drug    

• Opioids
  • Tramadol
  • Oxycodone
  • Hydrocodone
  • Other Opioids
• NSAIDs
• Local Anesthetics
• Acetaminophen

By Route of Administration  

• Injectable
• Oral
• Rectal
• Topical
• Transdermal
• Others

By Prescription Type

• Over-the-counter (OTC) Products
• Prescription Drugs

By Distribution Channel     

• Hospital Pharmacies
• Specialty Clinics
• Long Term Care Centers
• Retail Pharmacies
• Drug Stores
• Online Pharmacies

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• East Asia
• South Asia and Oceania
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

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