CONSTIPATION TREATMENT MARKET ANALYSIS

Constipation Treatment Market Overview

Constipation is a disorder that causes issues related to clearing of the bowels and usually leads to hardened feces. It is especially prevalent among the elderly and women. Common symptoms of constipation include lumpy or hard stools, lower abdominal discomfort, straining to have bowel movements, feeling of blockage in rectum that prevents bowel movements, and infrequent bowel movements. Factor that can lead to constipation are aging, dehydration, little or no physical activity, diet low in fiber, and mental conditions such as depression or eating disorder. Constipation treatment starts with lifestyle and change in diet to increase the speed at which stool moves through intestines. If it doesn’t help then the physician recommend medications or surgery. Lifestyle and diet change includes increase in fiber intake and physical activities such as exercise to increase intestinal muscle activities.

Segmentation of Constipation Treatment Market

Constipation treatment market is segmented on the basis of type, treatment, method of administration, and end use. By type, the global constipation treatment market has been categorized into chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), irritable bowel syndrome with constipation (IBS-C), and opioid-induced constipation (OIC). On the basis of treatment, the global constipation treatment market has been categorized into pharmacological treatment and non-pharmacological treatment, which comprises bowel training for constipation relief, fluid intake, dietary fiber intake and regular exercise. Further, pharmacological treatment is categorized into bulk-forming agents, stool softeners and emollients, osmotic agents, stimulants such as Bisacodyl, castor oil, senna and Cascara Sagrada, and chloride channel activators. On the basis of method of administration, the global constipation treatment market is categorized into oral and parenteral (subcutaneous injection). On the basis of distribution, the global constipation treatment market is segmented into hospital pharmacies, drug stores, and independent pharmacies.

High prevalence rate in North America drive growth of the Constipation Treatment Market

High prevalence rate in North America due to increasing adoption of unhealthy lifestyle characterized by growing consumption of fast food is leading to increasing obesity and other related health issues. This inadvertently leads to high incidence rate of constipation in the region.

According to the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians, the U.S. accounts for around 80% of the global opioids consumption. According to an article published in the American Gastroenterological Association in May 2015, chronic constipation affects one in six people in the U.S. and is the third-leading symptom prompting outpatient clinic visits in the country. It is especially prevalent in overweight women. High acuity information system, high disposable income level, and rampant adoption of unhealthy lifestyle in Europe makes it a potential high growth market. Asia Pacific too is expected to be a lucrative market for constipation treatment, mainly due to increasing westernization characterized by rising adoption of non-nutritious fast food in the region.

Global players engaged in the constipation treatment market 

The major players operating in constipation treatment market include AstraZeneca plc, Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited, Abbott Laboratories, Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc., C.B. Fleet Company Inc., Daewoong Co. Ltd., Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc., Cosmo Pharmaceuticals, Synergy Pharmaceuticals Inc. Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH, and Ironwood Pharmaceuticals. 

Key Developments in the constipation treatment market 

Key players in the market are focused on gaining product approvals from regulatory bodies to expand their product portfolio. For instance, in December 2018, the U.S. FDA approved Prucalopride, a selective serotonin-4 (5-HT4) receptor agonist that is administered as a once-daily, oral treatment for chronic idiopathic constipation, developed by Shire Plc., U.S-registered specialty biopharmaceutical company.

Major market players are also focused on conducting clinical trials. For instance, in May 2019, DuPont de Nemours, Inc. published results of a randomized, controlled trial that assessed the impact of lactitol and psyllium on bowel function in constipated Indian volunteers.   

However, product recall in some regions is expected to hider the market growth. For instance, in August 2019, the UAE Ministry of Health and Prevention issued a circular on noting the withdrawal of Laxocodyl suppositories batch used for the treatment of constipation in adults, produced by JulpharGulf Pharmaceutical Industries, as a result of incorrect labeling.