India’s pain relief industry has nearly doubled over the past five years, emerging as the largest segment in the country’s over-the-counter (OTC) medicine space. Valued at ₹15,905 crore as of May 2025, the market has expanded at a compounded annual growth rate of 18%, significantly outpacing the broader OTC market, which grew at 6% CAGR to reach ₹80,000 crore.
From sprays and gels to pills like Dolo, Zerodol SP, and Ultracet, pain medication is becoming a daily fixture in Indian households—driven by rising stress, lifestyle-related ailments, and increasing urbanisation.
According to Nielsen data, the number of pain relief brands has grown from 1,552 in 2020 to 2,771 in 2025, with an average of five new brands launching every week since the pandemic. The trend reflects growing consumer willingness to address pain promptly, whether caused by sports injuries, gym soreness, chronic illness, or stress-induced tension.
“Covid made people more conscious of how lingering pain affects their productivity and wellbeing,” said Sandeep Verma, Head of Consumer Health Business, South Asia at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. “Self-care is now seen as a necessity rather than an indulgence.”
Cipla Health’s Shivam Puri said the demand for fast-acting formats like rubefacients—topical creams and gels—has spiked, especially in urban areas. Omnigel, Cipla’s flagship rubefacient, leads this segment.
Paracetamol Still Dominates
Analgesics make up 75% of the pain relief market, with paracetamol continuing to be the most consumed drug. Industry experts say paracetamol-based combinations are also used to address inflammation and infections beyond simple aches, further boosting the segment.
“Analgesics, especially paracetamol, are taken alongside other conditions such as arthritis or viral infections,” said Sheetal Sapale, VP (Commercial) at PharmaTrac.
Doctors Warn of Misuse
Healthcare professionals, however, are sounding alarms over unchecked self-medication. Many of the bestselling pain drugs—like Zerodol SP, Chymoral Forte, and Ibugesic Plus—are prescription-based, but are widely available without prescriptions.
“Prolonged use of strong painkillers without medical supervision can damage kidneys or liver,” warned Dr. Nitin Kumar Sinha of WeCare Wellness. He attributed the surge in painkiller use to lifestyle factors like obesity, lack of exercise, stress, and poor sleep.
Derma Joins the Boom
Pain isn’t the only growing category. Dermatological products—once strictly prescribed by dermatologists—are now heavily used by younger consumers, pushing the segment to ₹14,854 crore, growing at 8% CAGR.
Bhanu Prakash, Partner at Grant Thornton, noted that OTC categories like allergy medications, tear drops, and skin treatments have seen a post-Covid surge in awareness and usage.
While the market thrives on convenience and accessibility, industry experts continue to advise caution: as self-medication becomes the norm, the need for informed use and regulatory oversight becomes more urgent.
