Market Snapshot

Study Period: | 2019-2027 |
Base Year: | 2021 |
Fastest Growing Market: | Asia-Pacific |
Largest Market: | North America |
CAGR: | 6.3 % |
![]() |
Need a report that reflects how COVID-19 has impacted this market and its growth?
Market Overview
The antiemetic drugs market is expected to register a CAGR of 6.3% over the forecast period, 2022-2027.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a positive impact on the antiemetic drugs market. The increased cases of SARS-CoV-2 have boosted the use of antiemetics to treat nausea and vomiting induced by COVID-19 or any other medication. For instance, in a study titled "Current Knowledge and recent advances in Intracellular Emetic Signaling System" published in The International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2021, it was observed that the use of antiemetics was severely increased during COVID-19 to treat nausea and vomiting. According to the same source, it was also used in hospitalized COVID-19 patients who might be undergoing open surgery and therefore more prone to nausea and vomiting. Thus, the COVID-19 outbreak positively impacted the antiemetic drug market's growth.
In addition, the increasing prevalence of cancer and gastroenteritis worldwide, the surge in research and development activities, and the identification of new drug targets have been positively affecting the growth of the studied market.
As chemotherapy and gastroenteritis treatments are linked with nausea and vomiting as major adverse effects, antiemetics are an important treatment regimen used in these procedures. According to the data published by the International Agency of Research for Cancer, the global cancer burden is estimated to be 19.3 million new cases, which implies one in five people worldwide develops cancer during their lifetime. For both sexes, the incidence was 2-to-3-fold higher in transitioned nations than in developing nations. As chemotherapy is one of the most widely used treatment protocols for cancer, the adoption of antiemetics is likely to bolster among the patient population as it is accompanied by adverse side effects such as nausea and vomiting. Furthermore, a research study titled "Antiemetic drugs: what to prescribe and when" published in the National Library of Medicine in April 2020 suggested that antiemetics are used in indications like gastroenteritis and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. These factors are collectively anticipated to drive the demand for antiemetics among cancer and gastroenteritis patients.
Therefore, owing to the aforementioned factors, the studied market is anticipated to witness growth over the analysis period. However, less awareness about antiemetic drugs among the population is likely to impede the market's growth.
Scope of the Report
As per the scope of the report, antiemetic drugs are used to treat nausea and vomiting that are side effects of chemotherapy, gastroenteritis, post-operative surgery, or other medications. The antiemetic drugs market is segmented by Drug Type (Serotonin-Receptor Antagonists, Glucocorticoids, Anticholinergics, Dopamine Receptor Antagonists, Neurokinin Receptor Antagonists, and Others), Application (Chemotherapy, Gastroenteritis, Post-Operative Surgery, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East, and Africa, and South America). The report offers the value (in USD million) for the above segments. The market report also covers the estimated market sizes and trends for 17 different countries across major regions, globally.
Drug Type | |
Serotonin-Receptor Antagonists | |
Glucocorticoids | |
Anticholinergics | |
Dopamine Receptor Antagonists | |
Neurokinin Receptor Antagonists | |
Others (Antihistamines, Cannabinoids) |
By Application | |
Chemotherapy | |
Gatroenteritis | |
Post Operative Surgery | |
Others (Vertigo, Motion Sickness) |
Geography | ||||||||
| ||||||||
| ||||||||
| ||||||||
| ||||||||
|
Key Market Trends
Serotonin Receptor Antagonists Segment is Expected to Witness Growth Over the Forecast Period
Serotonin receptor antagonists, or serotonin blockers, are used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, particularly those brought on by chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or postoperatively. Some of the most commonly used serotonin receptor antagonists are Ondansetron and Granisetron. The segment is expected to register a significant growth rate over the forecast period owing to factors such as increased demand for Ondansetron and Gravisetron for preventing vomiting and nausea mostly after surgical procedures.
According to a research study titled "Antiemetics in Children with Acute Gastroenteritis" published in the Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics in March 2020, Ondansetron has extreme utility as an antiemetic drug. The twenty-four studies included (3,482 children) in the research by the Department of Pediatrics, revealed that Ondansetron has the largest effect on cessation of vomiting. Ondansetron was the only intervention that reduced the need for intravenous rehydration and the number of vomiting episodes. Hence, owing to the advantages offered by these medications, the utility of serotonin receptor antagonists is likely to increase among the target population, ultimately driving the segment growth.
Likewise, strategic activities such as product development, approvals, mergers, and acquisitions by key players operating within the market are anticipated to drive the segment’s growth throughout the analysis period. For instance, in January 2022, Cumberland Pharmaceuticals, a specialty pharmaceutical company, acquired Sancuso, an oncology-supportive care medicine from Kyowa Kirin North America, the United States affiliate of Japan-based Kyowa Kirin Co., Ltd. Sancuso is the first and only FDA-approved Granisetron transdermal prescription patch for the prevention of nausea and vomiting in patients receiving certain types of chemotherapy treatment.
Therefore, the serotonin receptor antagonists segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period due to the abovementioned factors.

To understand key trends, Download Sample Report
North America is Expected to Dominate the Antiemetic Drugs Market Over the Forecast Period
North America is expected to dominate the market owing to factors such as the easy availability, economic stability in people, high awareness among consumers about healthcare in the region, Key drug launches, growing prevalence of cancers and gastroenteritis, high concentration of market players, and manufacturer's presence in the United States are some of the other factors driving the growth of the antiemetic drugs market in the country.
For instance, according to Cancer Statistics by the National Cancer Institute, in 2020, an estimated 1,806,590 new cases of cancer were diagnosed in the United States and 606,520 people died from the disease. An estimated 16,850 children and adolescents aged 0 to 19 were diagnosed with cancer, and 1,730 died of the disease. Similarly, approximately 179 million cases of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) occur annually in the United States, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In the United States and other regions, 2-23% of children with acute gastroenteritis are treated with antiemetics, according to the reports of the American Academy of Pediatrics, 2020. Such factors are expected to boost the growth of antiemetics within the region over the coming years.
Moreover, in September 2020, Sandoz, a Novartis division, launched generic Fosaprepitant, an anti-emetic drug used in preventing nausea and vomiting induced by chemotherapy in the United States, enhancing hospital offerings and strategically expanding its injectables portfolio.
Thus, owing to the aforementioned factors, the growth of the antiemetics market is expected to be bolstered in the North American region.

To understand geography trends, Download Sample Report
Competitive Landscape
The antiemetic drugs market is fragmented in nature due to the presence of several companies operating globally as well as regionally. The competitive landscape includes an analysis of a few international as well as local companies which hold the market shares and are well known. GlaxoSmithKline Plc, Sanofi, Novartis AG, Pfizer Inc, Merck & Co. Inc, Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd, Baxter, Johnson & Johnson Services Inc, Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Hikma Laboratories Plc among others.
Recent Developments
In April 2022, Evoke Pharma, Inc., was granted new drug product exclusivity by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for Gimoti (metoclopramide) nasal spray. Evoke now has exclusive marketing privileges over a period of three years from the initial date of approval under the Hatch-Waxman Act to protect the product from generic drug competition. Metoclopramide is a dopamine antagonist that is used as a potent antiemetic drug.
In February 2022, Acacia Pharmaceutical’s Barhemsys received US-FDA approval. It is an intravenous formulation of amisulpride (Dopamine Antagonist) for treating postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients that didn’t respond to treatment with an antiemetic from a different class. The company is in commercial preparations and is expected to launch Barhemsys in the second half of 2022.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
4.2.1 Increasing Prevalance of Cancer and Gastroenteritis worldwide
4.2.2 Surge in Research and Development Activities and Identification of New Drug Targets
4.3 Market Restraints
4.3.1 Less Awareness about Antiemetic Drugs among the Population
4.4 Porter's Five Force Analysis
4.4.1 Threat of New Entrants
4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
4.4.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size by Value - USD million)
5.1 Drug Type
5.1.1 Serotonin-Receptor Antagonists
5.1.2 Glucocorticoids
5.1.3 Anticholinergics
5.1.4 Dopamine Receptor Antagonists
5.1.5 Neurokinin Receptor Antagonists
5.1.6 Others (Antihistamines, Cannabinoids)
5.2 By Application
5.2.1 Chemotherapy
5.2.2 Gatroenteritis
5.2.3 Post Operative Surgery
5.2.4 Others (Vertigo, Motion Sickness)
5.3 Geography
5.3.1 North America
5.3.1.1 United States
5.3.1.2 Canada
5.3.1.3 Mexico
5.3.2 Europe
5.3.2.1 Germany
5.3.2.2 United Kingdom
5.3.2.3 France
5.3.2.4 Italy
5.3.2.5 Spain
5.3.2.6 Rest of Europe
5.3.3 Asia-Pacific
5.3.3.1 China
5.3.3.2 Japan
5.3.3.3 India
5.3.3.4 Australia
5.3.3.5 South Korea
5.3.3.6 Rest of Asia-Pacific
5.3.4 Middle East and Africa
5.3.4.1 GCC
5.3.4.2 South Africa
5.3.4.3 Rest of Middle East and Africa
5.3.5 South America
5.3.5.1 Brazil
5.3.5.2 Argentina
5.3.5.3 Rest of South America
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Company Profiles
6.1.1 GlaxoSmithKline Plc
6.1.2 Pfizer Inc
6.1.3 Merck and Co Inc
6.1.4 Johnson and Johnson Services Inc
6.1.5 Sanofi
6.1.6 Hikma Pharmaceuticals Plc
6.1.7 Cipla Limited
6.1.8 Novartis AG
6.1.9 Baxter
6.1.10 Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd
*List Not Exhaustive7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
You can also purchase parts of this report. Do you want to check out a section wise price list?
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the study period of this market?
The Global Antiemetic Drugs Market market is studied from 2019 - 2027.
What is the growth rate of Global Antiemetic Drugs Market ?
The Global Antiemetic Drugs Market is growing at a CAGR of 6.3% over the next 5 years.
Which region has highest growth rate in Global Antiemetic Drugs Market ?
Asia-Pacific is growing at the highest CAGR over 2021- 2026.
Which region has largest share in Global Antiemetic Drugs Market ?
North America holds highest share in 2021.
Who are the key players in Global Antiemetic Drugs Market ?
Pfizer Inc, Johnson & Johnson Services Inc, Merck and Co Inc., Cipla Limited, Acacia Pharma Group Plc are the major companies operating in Global Antiemetic Drugs Market .