Opioid-Induced Constipation Treatment Market Report 2026

The opioid-induced constipation treatment market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.9 billion in 2025 to $2.02 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to widespread opioid use for chronic pain management, limited effectiveness of traditional laxatives, growing prevalence of cancer-related pain, lack of early OIC-specific therapies, increasing hospitalization due to opioid side effects.

The opioid-induced constipation treatment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.54 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for PAMORA-based therapies, increasing long-term opioid prescriptions in aging populations, growing clinical focus on patient-centric pain management, expansion of online and retail pharmacy access, increasing investment in gastrointestinal disorder drug development. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists, increasing preference for targeted OIC therapies without affecting analgesia, growing use of combination pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments, rising focus on improving quality of life in chronic pain patients, increasing awareness and diagnosis of opioid-induced constipation.

The increasing use of opioids for managing cancer and non-cancer pain is expected to drive growth in the opioid-induced constipation (OIC) treatment market in the coming years. Cancer pain refers to discomfort associated with cancer and its treatment, while non-cancer pain arises from conditions unrelated to cancer. Opioids are administered to effectively manage moderate to severe pain, taking into account pain intensity, duration, patient response to other therapies, and the goal of improving quality of life while minimizing risks of addiction and side effects. OIC treatments relieve constipation caused by opioid use, enhancing patient comfort, adherence to pain management regimens, and overall quality of life without compromising pain relief. For example, in November 2024, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a US-based public health agency, 37.5 opioid prescriptions were dispensed per 100 persons in 2023. States with the highest dispensing rates included Arkansas (71.5), Alabama (71.4), Mississippi (63.1), and Louisiana (62.7). The growing administration of opioids is therefore fueling demand for OIC treatments.

Key companies in the OIC treatment market are focusing on innovation, such as peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists (PAMORAs), which target gut receptors to improve efficacy, enhance patient compliance, and reduce systemic side effects during opioid therapy. PAMORAs selectively block μ-opioid receptors in the gastrointestinal tract without crossing the blood-brain barrier, restoring bowel function while preserving central analgesia - unlike traditional laxatives, which do not address the receptor-mediated cause of constipation. For instance, in May 2025, Luye Pharma, a China-based pharmaceutical company, launched Mimeixin, an oral oxycodone/naloxone sustained-release tablet for OIC. The product provides once-daily analgesia while antagonizing gut opioid receptors, improving bowel regularity and reducing gastrointestinal side effects compared with older therapies, offering a convenient solution that combines pain control and constipation management in a single tablet.

In August 2023, Grünenthal GmbH, a Germany-based pharmaceutical company, entered a joint venture with Kyowa Kirin International. The collaboration covers a portfolio of 13 brands across six therapeutic areas, primarily focusing on pain management, including breakthrough cancer pain, opioid-induced constipation, and osteoporosis medications. Grünenthal holds a 51% majority share in the joint venture, while Kyowa Kirin holds 49%, with plans for Grünenthal to acquire the remaining 49% in early 2026. Kyowa Kirin International, based in Japan, develops medications for OIC, including peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonists.

Major companies operating in the opioid-induced constipation treatment market are Pfizer Inc., AstraZeneca plc, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Bausch Health Companies Inc., Ironwood Pharmaceuticals Inc., Collegium Pharmaceutical Inc., Cumberland Pharmaceuticals Inc., RedHill Biopharma Ltd., Theravance Biopharma Inc., Mundipharma International Limited, Daiichi Sankyo Co Ltd, Progenics Pharmaceuticals Inc, Shionogi & Co Ltd, Purdue Pharma, Nektar Therapeutics, S L A Pharma AG, Bristol‑Myers Squibb Company, Fresenius Kabi AG, Viatris Inc, Novartis AG, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, F Hoffmann‑La Roche Ltd, Aurobindo Pharma, Abbott Laboratories, Daewoong Pharmaceutical Company.

North America was the largest region in the opioid-induced constipation treatment market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the opioid-induced constipation treatment market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the opioid-induced constipation treatment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Tariffs have impacted the opioid-induced constipation treatment market by increasing costs for imported active pharmaceutical ingredients and finished drugs, affecting pricing and availability across hospital, retail, and online pharmacy channels. North america and europe are most affected due to high opioid usage and reliance on global pharmaceutical supply chains. These tariffs may slow short-term adoption; however, they also encourage local manufacturing, supply diversification, and regional production investments, supporting long-term supply stability and innovation.

The opioid-induced constipation treatment market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides opioid-induced constipation treatment market statistics, including opioid-induced constipation treatment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a opioid-induced constipation treatment market share, detailed opioid-induced constipation treatment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the opioid-induced constipation treatment industry. This opioid-induced constipation treatment market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Opioid-induced constipation (OIC) treatment refers to the various methods and medications used to manage constipation caused by opioid use. These treatments aim to relieve constipation symptoms without affecting the pain-relieving effects of opioids, thereby improving patient quality of life and ensuring effective pain management through both pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches.

The drug classes used in OIC treatment include laxatives, peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonists, serotonin receptor agonists, and prostaglandins. Laxatives are medications that promote bowel movements and relieve constipation by increasing stool frequency and softening stool consistency. They can be administered through different routes, including oral and parenteral (such as subcutaneous injection), and are distributed via hospital pharmacies, online pharmacies, and retail pharmacies.

The opioid-induced constipation treatment market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as medical consultation, dietary and lifestyle counselling, diagnostic and telehealth services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The opioid-induced constipation treatment market also includes sales of tablets, injections, syrups, fibre supplements, lubricants, enemas, suppositories and probiotics. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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