Cough Suppressant Drugs Market Size, Share, By Disease Type (Dry Cough and Wet Cough), By Drug Type (Dextromethorphan, Codeine, Noscapine, Butamirate, Benzonatate, and Pholcodine), By Product Type (Over-the-counter and Prescription Drug), By Age Group (Pediatric and Adult), By Dosage Form (Syrup and Tablet), By Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacy, Retail Pharmacy, Online Pharmacy, and Others), and Region - Trends, Analysis and Forecast till 2034

Cough Suppressant Drugs Market Size was valued at USD 1.5 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.3 Billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 4.9%

Cough suppressant medicines are also referred to as antitussives, which are agents that suppress cough. These medications work by impeding the function of brain stem cough centers. A cough suppressor lessens the reflex's activity and stifles the urge to cough. The two most often used cough suppressants are codeine and dextromethorphan. It is anticipated to rise significantly during the projection period due to its significant importance to the healthcare sector. The global cough suppressant medicine market is predicted to expand significantly throughout the forecast period. Many patient lives are undoubtedly being saved by the significant market layers that have introduced new cough suppressants. The factors driving the market expansion are government and non-government organizational endeavors and medical developments involving continuing drug discovery. A significant factor in the market expansion was also COVID-19.

Key Drivers of Target Market:

Prevalence of respiratory ailments:

• Common respiratory problems (diseases) like the common cold and flu and some chronic conditions like bronchitis and asthma are affecting a large portion of the population globally. These diseases are the primary reason for the increased mortality rates in the European Union. Lower respiratory disease, like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), is the United States' fourth most significant cause of mortality. COPD affects around 15.7 million Americans (6.4%). The manufacturers promote their products as they are effective in reducing cough.

Rising geriatric population:

• The geriatric population refers to elderly individuals, as they are more prone or sensitive to respiratory and cough diseases. Their weaker immune systems are the main reason. Coughing is a common problem in this age group.  Chronic coughing can cause severe diseases and impact the lives of the older age group. It can also affect their sleep, social interaction, and overall well-being.

Restrains:

Over-dosage:

• Overdosing can cause adverse effects. The reaction depends upon the active ingredients and the amount of drug consumed. Dizziness, drowsiness, confusion, rapid heart rate, breathing difficulties, nausea, and vomiting are some of the effects, and overdosing can cause even more serious complications such as seizures or cardiac issues.

Increasing cases of cough syrup deaths:

• Almost every cough syrup contains opioids. For example, codeine or hydrocodone are getting misused or abused for their psychoactive effects, which results in reparatory depression; it can cause death if it is taken in high doses or combined with other depressants like alcohol.

Opportunities:

Increased Prevalence of Cough:

• According to the CDC's reports, around 25 million people had asthma in the U.S. in 2017, and it is more commonly diagnosed among adult women than in men. The organization also stated that the incidence of asthma in North America was 7.8% in 2015, rising to 7.9% in 2017. This creates more opportunities in the market.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaborations:

• Major market players are forming strategic alliances and mergers to develop, manufacture, and distribute cough suppressant medications, thereby gaining significant market share. For example 2015, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare and Tris Pharma, Inc. signed a license, supply, and distribution deal. Pfizer Consumer Healthcare will market dextromethorphan cough syrup under the Robitussin Brand under the deal. In exchange, Pfizer Consumer Healthcare will receive the U.S. branded rights to Tris's protected intellectual property for a prolonged dextromethorphan formulation. As a result, Tris will get royalties based on sales, milestone payments, and an upfront payment.

The market is segmented based on Disease Type, Drug Type, Product Type, Age Group, Dosage form, Distribution Channel, and Region.

Disease Type Insights:

• Dry Cough: Dry cough is the type of cough that does not produce any mucus in the respiratory track, which is also termed unproductive cough. The tone remains consistent in this type of cough because it does not produce any sound of mucus, also called hacking cough. It is caused due to irritation and inflammation in the respiratory tract. The leading Causes of dry cough include Exposure to allergens or irritants such as smoke, dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, or strong smells (like cleansers or perfumes).
• Wet Cough: This type of cough that produces mucus is termed a wet cough or productive cough. It sounds 'wet' since mucus is released from the airway while coughing. Cold, flu, Acute bronchitis, and Pneumonia are some of the diseases that cause wet cough.

Drug Type Insights:

• Dextromethorphan: DXM acts directly or centrally in the human brain and suppresses the cough reflex. The primary use of DXM is over-the-counter cough medications due to the effectiveness and lower potential for abuse if we compare it to Opioids. Generally, it is considered a safe drug, but if consumed in high doses, it can lead to side effects such as dizziness, drowsiness, and, in rare cases, serotonin syndrome when combined with other medications.
• Codeine is a Type of Opioid used to suppress cough by acting on some brain receptors called Opioid receptors. It was traditionally used in prescription cough medications. If it is consumed in high doses, it can cause drowsiness, constipation, and respiratory depression.
• Noscapine suppresses the cough reflex by affecting the medullary cough center in the human brain stream. It is often used as an alternative to opioid-containing drugs, especially in countries where codeine is restricted. It has very few side effects and does not cause respiratory depression or addiction.
• Butamirate is also a cough suppressant. It suppresses cough by reducing the sensitivity of the cough center in the brainstem. It is mainly used to relieve dry and irritating coughs. It is considered a safe precaution as it has few side effects, such as nausea.
• Pholcodine: It is a derivative of opioids; it is used to suppress the cough relaxes. In many countries, it is used as an alternative to codeine.

Product Type Insights:

• Over-the-counter: The drugs that can be obtained without any prescription, and the drugs generally have Favorable safety profiles for self-medication. Dextromethorphan and Noscapine are examples of OTC.
• Prescription Drug: The drugs which have higher risks or side effects such as respiratory depression and addiction. The prescription requirement is a must to get these types of medicines, and there are stricter regulatory controls. Codeine and Pholcodine are examples of Prescription Drugs.

Age Group Insights:

• Pediatric: These drugs are designed especially for children to ensure their safety and efficiency. Drugs like Dextromethorphan, Noscapine, and Butamirate Citrate are considered pediatric cough Suppressants.
• Adult: this are drugs that are formulated and designed for adult patients. This type of drug requires careful consideration of dosage because it can cause side effects. It includes a broader range of drugs, such as Dextromethorphan, Codeine, and sometimes Pholcodine.

Dosage Insights:

• Syrup: This is a type of cough suppressant that is in liquid form and suitable for both children and adults. Due to its liquid state, the drug is easier to consume and has become ideal for individuals who face difficulty swallowing pills.
• Tablet: The drug is in solid form and provides convenient and précised dosing, especially for adult patients. They are commonly used in formulations that may include multiple active ingredients for comprehensive symptom relief.

Distribution Channel Insights:

• Hospital Pharmacy: Mostly for drugs that need to be monitored by a doctor and restricted compounds used in acute care settings.
• Retail Pharmacy: This pharmacy primarily offers cough suppressants that can be purchased over the counter for self-medication, guaranteeing customer accessibility and convenience.
• Online Pharmacy provides a practical means of acquiring cough suppressants, encompassing both over-the-counter and prescription drugs where applicable legislation allows.
• Others: It includes clinics and specialty pharmacies that address particular patient requirements and offer access to controlled medications or unique formulations while closely supervised by regulations.

Regional Insights

• North America: The North American cough suppressant drugs market is propelled by Growth in the Adoption of Cough suppressants, favorable policies, and Initiatives Taken by Government Bodies Worldwide. The United States and Canada are the leaders in adoption, focusing on demand response programs, Cough Suppressant network integration, and the use of AI in Cough Suppressant Drugs administration.
• Asia Pacific: The Asia Pacific area is poised for solid expansion in the cough suppressant drugs market and the prevalence of respiratory ailments. Government measures to modernize drug suppression and increase dependability are critical.
• Europe: Europe is on track to become the world’s largest cough suppressant drugs market, powered by the Rising geriatric population and the prevalence of respiratory ailments. The region's strong, smart grid infrastructure and supportive legislative framework, such as the EU's Clean Energy Package, allow for rapid cough suppressant drugs implementation.
• Latin America: The cough suppressant drugs market in Latin America is predicted to rise gradually, driven by increased renewable energy usage and adoption of Cough suppressants, as Initiatives Taken by Government Bodies Worldwide. The region aims to improve grid stability, reduce side effects, and increase Drug efficiency through demand-side management.
• Middle East and Africa: This region is seeing increased interest in cough suppressant drugs, particularly in countries with high renewable energy objectives and needing more excellent grid stability. Cough suppressant drugs are viewed as a solution for managing peak demand in fast-developing urban regions while supporting rural electrification efforts.

Cough Suppressant Drugs Market Report Scope:

Segments Covered in the Report:

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2024 to 2034. For the purpose of this study segmented the target market report based on Disease type, Drug Type, Product Type, Age Group, Dosage form, Distribution Channel and Region.

Segmentation:

Disease type:

• Dry Cough
• Wet Cough

Drug Type:

• Dextromethorphan,
• Codeine
• Noscapine
• Butamirate
• Benzonatate
• Pholcodine

Product Type:

• Over-the-counter
• Prescription Drug

Age Group:

• Pediatric
• Adult

Dosage Form:

• Syrup
• Tablet

Distribution Channel:

• Hospital Pharmacy
• Retail Pharmacy
• Online Pharmacy
• Others

By Region:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Russia
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • Israel
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

The key players operating the Cough Suppressant Drugs Market include Moser Services Group, LIC, Tesla, Delta Electronics, INC., Robert Bosch Gmbh, General Electric Company, Webasto Group, Schneider Electric, Plugless Power Inc., Eaton Corporation Plc, Siemens Ag, Borgwarner Inc.

• In February 2021, Ernest Chemists announced the launch of a new herbal cough remedy named Honeykof. This product is used to treat throat infections and reduce the amount of cough.

• Perrigo Company plc*
  • Company Overview
  • Product Portfolio
  • Key Highlights
  • Financial Performance
  • Business Strategies
• Vernali’s plc
• Tris Pharma Inc.
• Pfizer Inc.
• Aytu Bioscience, Inc.
• Acella Pharmaceuticals LLC
• Mayne Pharma Inc.
• Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.
• Amneal Pharmaceuticals LLC
• Aurobindo Pharma Ltd
• GlaxoSmithKline plc.

“*” marked represents similar segmentation in other categories in the respective section.