Paracetamol Market is expected to reach US$ 15.02 Billion by 2031

Tablet Segment to Lead Paracetamol Market Based on Dosage Form During 2025–2031

According to our new research study on “Paracetamol Market Forecast to 2031 – Global Analysis – by Dosage Form, Indication, Route of Administration, and Distribution Channel,” the paracetamol market size is expected to grow from US$10.74 billion in 2024 to US$15.02 billion by 2031; the market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.0% during 2025–2031. Major factors driving the paracetamol market growth include the rise in prevalence of chronic pain and fever-related disorders and the wide usage of paracetamol as an over-the-counter (OTC) analgesic and antipyretic.

Paracetamol, known as acetaminophen, is one of the most widely used medications for treating fever and mild to moderate pain. It is available over-the-counter (OTC) and is often included in combination products for cold and flu relief. As the field evolves, one of the most transformative paracetamol market trends is the expansion of paracetamol combination therapy products.

Paracetamol Market, by Region, 2024 (%)

Source: The Insight Partners Analysis

Paracetamol Market Analysis Based on Segmental Evaluation:

Based on dosage form, the paracetamol market is segmented into tablets, capsules, and others. In 2024, the tablets segment held a significant paracetamol market share. Due to its ease of use, rapid onset of action, and availability in a range of dosages suitable for different patient demographics, the tablet segment of the paracetamol market remains the most widely used and economically significant dosage form. Due to their status as essential medicines and integration into many national healthcare systems, tablets are crucial in developed and emerging markets. Demand has recently increased due to over-the-counter (OTC) purchases, ongoing viral illness outbreaks, and rising self-medication trends for mild to moderate pain and flu-like symptoms. In the Asia Pacific, the uptake of paracetamol tablets has been notably high, as rising healthcare awareness and improved access to pharmaceuticals accelerate tablet consumption. At the same time, North America maintains the largest share, propelled by high rates of chronic pain conditions, ongoing public investment in headache and pain management, and consistent innovation in formulation practices. The distribution landscape has changed dramatically due to the rise of digitalization; urban and rural consumers can now more easily obtain paracetamol tablets thanks to the notable increase in e-pharmacy sales. In response to this demand, pharmaceutical companies have launched combination products that aim to relieve multiple symptoms, extended-release formulations, and kid-friendly dispersible tablets. In July 2025, the World Health Organization and the United Nations issued a joint safety alert that over 300 fatalities in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific since 2022 were due to syrups contaminated by industrial-grade glycols, not tablets. While tablets were not implicated, the underlying concern regarding unregulated pharmaceutical supply chains underscores the importance of quality controls across all forms, including tablets.

At the same time, regulatory trends in Australia and parts of Europe have led governments to restrict over-the-counter (OTC) pack sizes and, in some cases, require pharmacist supervision or limit bulk tablet sales to curb overdose risks. Paracetamol overdose remains a leading cause of acute liver failure and poison control calls in the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

The industry continues to grapple with challenges such as regulatory quality standards, risks of misuse or overdosing, and the necessity for public health education to ensure responsible consumption. Investment in sustainable manufacturing, local production initiatives in evolving markets, and increased regulatory focus on supply chain transparency contribute to the tablet segment's ongoing profitability and resilience. As a result, paracetamol tablets remain a key driver of global market momentum. They benefit from their established therapeutic role, growing market penetration through digital platforms, innovations in formulation, and sustained public trust as a safe and affordable first-line analgesic and antipyretic.

The scope of the paracetamol 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. Regarding revenue, North America dominated the paracetamol market share in 2024.

The North American paracetamol market is segmented into the US, Canada, and Mexico. North America is anticipated to lead the market throughout the forecast period. The growth in this sector can be attributed to several factors, including major industry players, a high prevalence of conditions such as migraines, headaches, and fever in the region, and a well-established healthcare infrastructure. These elements significantly contribute to North America's substantial market share.

In particular, the market growth in the US is projected to be strong during this period. As reported in a January 2021 article by the American Migraine Foundation, over 4 million adults in the US live with chronic daily migraines, which means they experience at least 15 headache days each month. Given the increasing patient population and rising disposable income, these statistics suggest that the market for paracetamol in the US will likely experience significant growth.

Additionally, supportive government initiatives focused on chronic pain research are expected to drive market growth. For instance, according to an update from the National Institutes of Health in May 2022, the US government allotted US$689 million in 2020 and US$725 million in 2021 for research on chronic pain. Given paracetamol’s preliminary role as a pain reliever, increased research into chronic pain will likely support market expansion.

Developments in medical infrastructure, the prevalence of infectious diseases, and the increasing spending on healthcare services across the US are the growth enablers of the market in this region. According to the US Department of Health & Human Services, 3–11% of the US population gets infected and develops flu symptoms annually. As per the findings derived from the Global Burden of Disease study published in July 2020, there is a significant and growing burden of noncommunicable and infectious diseases in the US. According to Johns Hopkins University, the cases of diseases such as SARS, Lyme disease, dengue fever, West Nile virus, and Zika virus infection have increased rapidly in the last two decades in the US. The same source affirmed an increase in re-emerging diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, cholera, pertussis, influenza, pneumococcal disease, and gonorrhea. Paracetamol and other drugs indicated to curb fever and similar symptoms are prescribed to treat infectious diseases. Thus, a rising incidence of contagious diseases boosts the demand for paracetamol in the US, facilitating the expansion of the paracetamol market share.

In November 2021, the US FDA accepted the New Drug Application (NDA) for Maxigesic IV, developed by Hyloris Pharmaceuticals SA. This unique infusion solution contains 1000 mg of paracetamol and 300 mg of ibuprofen and is designed to treat postoperative pain. Approval of this application by regulatory authorities may enable new products to enter the market.

The US paracetamol market is among the world’s most robust and mature, reflecting the country’s longstanding reliance on paracetamol (acetaminophen) as a primary solution for pain and fever management. Paracetamol’s accessibility, effectiveness, and longstanding over-the-counter (OTC) status have kept it at the center of American healthcare for decades. According to a report from the National Library of Medicine, in the US, acetaminophen, commonly known by the brand Tylenol, remains the most widely used over‑the‑counter analgesic and antipyretic, supported by decades of clinical adoption and consumer familiarity. In 2024, acetaminophen ranked among the most commonly prescribed medications with over 5 million prescriptions issued, underscoring its confirmed role in pain and fever management. Usage is driven by widespread chronic pain prevalence. Approximately 20% of US adults report chronic pain; low back pain affects roughly 26% and neck pain about 14%. Acetaminophen is the preferred non-opioid first option among healthcare providers due to concerns about the safety of opioids. Public health guidance and FDA regulations now mandate warning labels about the hepatotoxicity risk and limit acetaminophen content in prescription combination products to 325 mg per dose to reduce overdose incidence, reflecting ongoing safety vigilance around acute liver failure cases currently estimated at 56,000 emergency visits, 2,600 hospitalizations, and roughly 460 deaths yearly in the US due to overdose.

In late 2024, Elite Pharmaceuticals entered the prescription segment by launching a generic acetaminophen‑codeine product (300 mg acetaminophen with 15/30/60 mg codeine), reporting US sales of approximately US$47 million over the 12 months ending May 2024, indicating incremental growth in combination prescribing beyond OTC use. Advancements in API production have included the adoption of greener synthetic methods and dual‑sourcing strategies to reduce dependence on single‑country suppliers, especially after earlier disruptions in Chinese and Indian para‑aminophenol supply, improving the resilience of manufacturers and dampening raw material price volatility, which in late 2023 was about US$4,965 per metric ton in the US market.

The competitive landscape in the US market is influenced by a combination of established branded companies, such as Tylenol from Johnson & Johnson's McNeil Consumer Healthcare/Kenvue, and generic brands. Considerable private-label volumes operated by companies like Perrigo also play an essential role, comprising channel associations and introducing innovative formulations. These developments include extended-release options and pediatric suspensions developed for consumer convenience. General industry trends include growing consumer demand for pediatric formulations and combination products for cold, flu, and multi‑symptom relief; sustained growth in extended‑release delivery systems; and continued expansion of online sales channels. Regulatory scrutiny regarding hepatotoxicity continues to influence prescribing practices and packaging standards. There is ongoing litigation concerning alleged neurodevelopmental effects from prenatal exposure, particularly in connection with consolidated personal injury claims related to ADHD and autism. However, by late 2023, many of these cases were dismissed, which has sparked public debate about safety labeling, even as scientific consensus remains inconclusive.

In 2025, the US paracetamol market remains robust and developed, anchored by OTC sales, modest prescription combination growth, evolving supply‑chain practices, and a dual focus on expanding convenient formats while safeguarding against misuse and ensuring regulatory compliance. Thus, market players' rising disease burden and strategic initiatives drive growth in the US paracetamol market.

Mallinckrodt Plc, Johnson & Johnson, GSK Plc, Sanofi SA, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Cipla Ltd, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd, Granules India Ltd, and IOL Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals Ltd are among the leading companies profiled in the paracetamol market report.

Based on dosage form, the paracetamol market is segmented into tablets, capsules, and others. Based on indication, the paracetamol market is segmented into mild and moderate pain, fever, and others. Based on the route of administration, the market is bifurcated into enteral and parenteral. The market is segmented by distribution channel into retail pharmacies, hospital pharmacies, and online pharmacies. 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 and Africa (Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UAE, and the Rest of Middle East and Africa), and South and Central America (Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South and Central America).

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