Advil was the leading name-brand internal analgesic tablet in the United States in 2019, not including private label. In that year, Advil generated 449.5 million U.S. dollars in sales, while private label internal analgesic tablet sales amounted to nearly 1.18 billion U.S. dollars. Internal analgesics are often used to treat minor aches and pains, such as headaches.

Over-The-Counter products In 2017, total OTC drug retail sales amounted to 34.3 billion U.S. dollars, up from 34 billion dollars the previous year. The largest segment of the OTC medicines market in the United States is vitamins and minerals, followed by cold, cough, and flu medicines.

Drugstore and pharmacy retail in the U.S. U.S. pharmacy and drug stores generated sales of 276.92 billion U.S. dollars in 2017. CVS Health and Walgreens were the two leading drug store chains in the United States based on prescription sales, at 60.8 billion U.S. dollars and 56.5 billion U.S. dollars respectively. In 2017, CVS Health operated 9,778 locations, more than any other drug store chain in the United States.

The statistic shows the dollar sales share of the leading internal analgesic tablet brands in the United States in 2019. In that year, the Tylenol brand accounted for 11.1 percent of internal analgesic tablet sales in the United States.

The global market of acetaminophen API is estimated to be worth USD 1,262.0 million in 2025 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% to reach USD 1,763.1 million by 2035. The revenue generated by acetaminophen API in 2024 was USD 1,220.5 million where it demonstrated a year-on-year growth of 3.2%.

Metric	Value
Industry Size (2025E)	USD 1,262.0 million
Industry Value (2035F)	USD 1,763.1 million
CAGR (2025 to 2035)	3.4%

Semi Annual Market Update

Particular	Value CAGR
H1	3.5% (2024 to 2034)
H2	3.9% (2024 to 2034)
H1	3.4% (2025 to 2035)
H2	3.8% (2025 to 2035)

Country-wise Insights

Countries	Value CAGR (2025 to 2035)
United States	4.5%
Germany	4.0%
Japan	5.9%
China	7.4%
India	6.5%

Category-wise Insights

Drug Class	Value Share (2024)
Opioids-acetaminophen	58.0%

Distribution Channel	Value Share (2024)
Retail Stores	46.1%

In 2019, the brand Tylenol had a sales growth of 1.1 percent in the United States in 2018 compared to the prior sales year. The Advil brand experienced a sales decrease of 4.8 percent in the same period.

In 2014, acetaminophen or hydrocodone was prescribed over 68 million times. Until 2022, the annual number of prescriptions for this drug dropped to some 23.5 million. The combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. This statistic shows the total annual number of acetaminophen/hydrocodone prescriptions in the U.S. from 2004 to 2022, in millions.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Acetaminophen market size will be USD 10251.5 million in 2024. It will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.50% from 2024 to 2031. North America held the major market share for more than 40% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 4100.60 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.7% from 2024 to 2031. Europe accounted for a market share of over 30% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 3075.45 million. Asia Pacific held a market share of around 23% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 2357.85 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2024 to 2031. Latin America had a market share of more than 5% of the global revenue with a market size of USD 512.58 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9% from 2024 to 2031. Middle East and Africa had a market share of around 2% of the global revenue and was estimated at a market size of USD 205.03 million in 2024 and will grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% from 2024 to 2031. The Retail pharmacies remain the dominant distribution channel in the acetaminophen market, primarily due to their widespread presence and convenience for consumers Market Dynamics of Acetaminophen Market Key Drivers for Acetaminophen Market Rising Prevalence of Chronic Pain and Related Disorders to Boost Market Growth One of the key drivers in the Acetaminophen Market is the increasing prevalence of chronic pain conditions such as osteoarthritis, migraines, and lower back pain. As modern lifestyles contribute to a higher incidence of sedentary behavior and stress-related ailments, more individuals are seeking reliable, over-the-counter solutions to manage pain. Acetaminophen's reputation as an effective, non-prescription analgesic with minimal gastrointestinal side effects makes it a preferred option for consumers. This trend is further amplified by an aging global population, which faces a growing burden of musculoskeletal and neuropathic pain, thus driving market demand. For instance, Sanofi successfully acquired Principia Biopharma Inc. in 2020 to expand its expertise in autoimmune and allergy diseases Growing Demand for OTC Medications and Self-Medication Practices to Drive Market Growth Another significant market driver is the rising trend of self-medication, particularly in the over-the-counter (OTC) drug sector. With healthcare costs rising globally, consumers are increasingly turning to easily accessible, affordable solutions for managing common ailments like pain and fever. Acetaminophen, known for its efficacy and safety profile when used as directed, has become a go-to product in households worldwide. In regions with limited access to healthcare services, especially in developing countries, the reliance on OTC pain relievers is further driving demand, expanding market opportunities for acetaminophen manufacturers. Restraint Factor for the Acetaminophen Market Risk of Liver Toxicity with Overuse, will Limit Market Growth A significant restraint in the Acetaminophen Market is the potential risk of liver toxicity associated with overuse or accidental overdose. While acetaminophen is widely considered safe when used within the recommended dosage, excessive consumption—whether intentional or unintentional—can lead to severe liver damage or even liver failure. This has led to increased regulatory scrutiny and stricter guidelines on packaging and labeling to prevent misuse. The growing awareness of these health risks among consumers and healthcare professionals could limit the broader adoption of acetaminophen, particularly in regions with stringent drug safety regulations. Impact of Covid-19 on the Acetaminophen Market The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the Acetaminophen Market, driving a surge in demand for fever-reducing medications as acetaminophen became widely recommended for managing mild COVID-19 symptoms. Panic buying and stockpiling of over-the-counter drugs during the pandemic caused supply chain disruptions, leading to temporary shortages in several regions. Manufacturers had to ramp up production to meet this unexpected demand. However, the increased focus on healthcare hygiene and stricter pharmaceutical supply chain management post-pandemic has improved the market's resilience, positioning acetaminophen as a staple in managing common viral infections. In...

The over-the-counter pain medication market size to attain a valuation of by 2034, up from in 2024. The over-the-counter analgesics market is projected to evolve at a CAGR of 4.0% between 2024 and 2034.

Attributes	Details
Market Value for 2024	US$ 23,705.60 million
Market Value for 2034	US$ 35,090.10 million
Market CAGR from 2024 to 2034	4.0%

Healthcare Expenditures Cast Shadow on Over-the-counter Pain Medication Sales

Attributes	Details
Market Value for 2019	US$ 18,678.80 million
Market Value for 2023	US$ 22,741.60 million
Market CAGR from 2019 to 2023	4.0%

Category-wise Outlook

Segment	Acetaminophen
Share (2024)	46%

Segment	Oral
Share (2024)	44%

Country-wise Analysis

Countries	CAGR (2024 to 2034)
India	5.4%
Thailand	5.0%
Indonesia	3.7%
Malaysia	3.7%

Countries	CAGR (2024 to 2034)
United Kingdom	4.0%
Italy	3.8%
France	3.6%
Germany	3.4%
Spain	2.8%

Countries	CAGR (2024 to 2034)
United States	3.8%
Canada	4.5%

The global Acetaminophen (Paracetamol) Market size was valued USD 990.44 million in 2023 and is expected to rise to USD 1409.71 million by 2032 at a CAGR of 4.00%.

This statistic shows the top ten OTC (over-the-counter) brands for pain relief in the United States by market share in 2013. In that year, Tylenol, an internal analgesic tablet, generated some 200 million U.S. dollars in revenue. This value represents some 6.4 percent of the segment's total revenue.

Global OTC Pain Medications market size 2025 was XX Million. OTC Pain Medications Industry compound annual growth rate (CAGR) will be XX% from 2025 till 2033.

In 2019, the Advil brand sold its internal analgesic tablet products for an average price of 7.69 U.S. dollars. The Tylenol PM brand sold its tablets for an average price of 9.22 U.S. dollars.

Global OTC Analgesics market size 2025 was XX Million. OTC Analgesics Industry compound annual growth rate (CAGR) will be XX% from 2025 till 2033.

In December 2024, the most sold over-the-countertop (OTC) drug in South Korea was Tylenol 500 mg (10 tablets), with over 26,000 sales. Cold medicines, painkillers, and health supplements were particularly popular among OTC drugs sold that month.