Fast Melt Tablets Market Report 2025

The fast melt tablets market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.96 billion in 2024 to $5.33 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rise in geriatric population, an increase in chronic diseases, growth in self-medication trends, expansion of the pharmaceutical sector, and an increase in disposable income.

The fast melt tablets market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.18 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the rising prevalence of dysphagia, growing preference for OTC drugs, increasing e-commerce penetration, rising demand for oral dissolving drugs, and rising healthcare infrastructure. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements, innovative formulation techniques, integration of nanotechnology, shift towards plant-based excipients, and smart drug delivery systems.

The forecast of 7.7% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.4% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariff barriers may strain U.S. pharmaceutical manufacturing by increasing costs of orally disintegrating tablet excipients and blister packaging machinery imported from India and Germany, potentially reducing pediatric and geriatric medication accessibility while raising production costs. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The increasing incidence of heart attacks is expected to drive the growth of the fast melt tablets market in the coming years. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is obstructed, often due to a blood clot or plaque buildup in the coronary arteries. The rising incidence of heart attacks can be attributed to higher consumption of processed foods, which contributes to elevated cholesterol levels and plaque formation in the arteries. Fast melt tablets enable rapid drug absorption, facilitating the swift delivery of essential medications such as aspirin or nitroglycerin to mitigate damage during a heart attack. This quick action helps restore blood flow, improving patient outcomes and lowering the risk of severe complications. For example, according to a report by the British Heart Foundation in January 2024, over 39,000 people in England died prematurely from cardiovascular conditions such as heart attacks, coronary heart disease, and stroke in 2022, averaging around 750 deaths per week. This represents the highest recorded figure. As such, the rising heart attack incidence is contributing to the growth of the fast melt tablets market.

Leading companies in the fast melt tablets market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as rapidly dissolving tablets that enhance patient convenience and accelerate drug absorption. Rapidly dissolving tablets (RDTs) are designed to dissolve quickly in the mouth without the need for water. For instance, in December 2022, Melt Pharmaceuticals, a US-based clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, introduced Melt 300, an advanced fast-melting tablet formulation aimed at efficient sedation. This tablet combines 3 mg of midazolam and 50 mg of ketamine, dissolving rapidly for quick onset and effective sedation without requiring intravenous administration. Targeting the growing demand for needle-free, patient-friendly sedation options, Melt 300 improves procedural comfort while optimizing clinical workflows.

In September 2023, Melt Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a US-based clinical-stage pharmaceutical company, entered into a licensing agreement with Catalent Inc. Under this partnership, Melt will utilize Catalent’s proprietary Zydis orally disintegrating tablet technology to develop a sublingual, needle-free, and opioid-free formulation that combines midazolam and ketamine. Catalent Inc., a US-based company specializing in drug development and delivery solutions for biologics, gene therapies, and oral, inhalation, and injectable drug delivery technologies, will support this collaboration.

Major players in the fast melt tablets market are Pfizer Inc., Johnson & Johnson, Fuji Chemical Industries Co. Ltd., Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., Church & Dwight Co. Inc., Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd, Catalent Inc., Aurobindo Pharma Limited, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Centrient Pharmaceuticals B.V., Lannett Company Inc., Unichem Laboratories Ltd., SPI Pharma Inc., Windmill Health Products LLC, The Procter & Gamble Company, Perrigo Company plc, Melt Pharmaceuticals Inc., Imodium, Calpol, and Akina Inc.

North America was the largest region in the fast melt tablets market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in fast melt tablets report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the fast melt tablets market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The fast melt tablets market consists of sales of orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs), prescription medications, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. 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.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sudden escalation of U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a significant impact on the pharmaceutical sector. Companies are grappling with higher costs on imported active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), glass vials, and laboratory equipment - many of which have limited alternative sources. Generic drug manufacturers, already operating with minimal profit margins, are particularly affected, with some scaling back production of low-margin medications. Biotech firms are also experiencing delays in clinical trials due to shortages of specialized reagents linked to tariffs. In response, the industry is shifting API production to regions like India and Europe, building up inventory reserves, and advocating for tariff exemptions on essential medicines.

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

Fast melt tablets are oral dosage forms designed to dissolve quickly in the mouth without the need for water, offering a convenient alternative for patients who have difficulty swallowing traditional tablets. These tablets rapidly disintegrate, typically within seconds, upon contact with saliva. Fast melt technology is particularly useful for pediatric, geriatric, and travel-friendly medications.

The main types of fast melt tablets include antipsychotics, antiepileptics, central nervous system (CNS) stimulants, anxiolytics, anti-parkinsonian drugs, antihypertensives, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anti-allergy drugs, proton pump inhibitors, and other categories. Antipsychotics, for example, help balance brain chemicals to manage conditions such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, often available in fast-melt form to improve patient adherence. These tablets are used for a range of indications, such as pain management, allergy and respiratory disorders, neurological conditions, gastrointestinal issues, and cardiovascular diseases. They come in various dosage forms, including oral, sublingual, buccal, and chewable, and are used by different age groups, including adults, children, and the elderly. These products are distributed through hospital pharmacies, retail pharmacies, drug stores, and online platforms.

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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.