U.S. Opioids Market, by Drugs (Codeine, Fentanyl, Meperidine, Methadone, Morphine, and Hydrocodone), by Therapeutic Application (Pain Management (Neuropathic Pain, Migraine, Back Pain, Osteoarthritis Pain, Cancer Pain, and Others), Cough Treatment, and Diarrhea Treatment), and by Distribution Channel (Hospital Pharmacies, Retail Pharmacies, and Online Pharmacies) - Size, Share, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2022 - 2030
Opioids can be defined as a class of drugs, which include the drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and various pain relievers prescribed legally, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and others. This class of drug is primarily taken for pain relief. It has been used for other medical purposes including cough and diarrhea treatment. They bind to opioids receptor and produce a desirable result. In recent years, there has been an increase in the use of prescription opioids for the treatment of chronic, non-cancer pain, such as back pain or osteoarthritis, despite serious risks and the lack of evidence about their long-term effectiveness. Opioids are generally safe when taken for a short time, regular use of the drug can lead to dependence and in extreme cases may even result in death. Opioids are addicting because they not only relieve pain but also generate euphoria. This, combined with the development of tolerance (the need to raise dosages to achieve the same effect), can result in opioid use disorder. As a result, prescribers have changed their methods to minimize the length and potency of opioids in an attempt to prevent addiction.
Market Dynamics
The increasing rate of unemployment is expected to drive the market growth, owing to the increased opioids misuse. For instance, according to an article published by AzoNetwork, an online publisher, in May 2022, two studies led by the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), and the national population-based Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS) Study found that strong associations between drug misuse generally and opioid misuse specifically among unemployed Americans, who were found to have a 40% higher likelihood to misuse opioids than those working 35-40 hours per week.
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