The global orally disintegrating tablet market size was valued at USD 14.76 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 16.33 billion in 2025 to USD 28.88 billion by 2033, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.38% during the forecast period (2025-2033).
An orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) is a type of medication that quickly dissolves or disintegrates in the mouth without the need for water. It is designed to dissolve on the tongue within seconds, making it easier for individuals who may have difficulty swallowing pills, such as children or elderly patients. ODTs are commonly used for medications that treat conditions like nausea, pain, or allergies. The unique formulation of ODTs helps ensure that the active ingredient is rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream, providing quicker relief.
Several key factors are driving the growth of the ODT market. The increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, including mental health disorders, gastrointestinal issues, hypertension, and others, is creating a demand for more accessible drug delivery options. Moreover, advancements in research and development of novel drug delivery systems are boosting innovation within the market. Rising healthcare investments, coupled with growing patient awareness and compliance, further contribute to this expansion.
Below graph represents the global number of mental disorder cases per 100,000 people in 2021
Source: Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, and Straits Research
The oral disintegrating tablet (ODT) market is witnessing significant innovation, driven by advancements in formulation and technology to enhance patient experience. These innovations make ODTs more appealing, especially for those who face challenges with traditional tablets.
For example, in May 2024, Tiefenbacher Pharmaceuticals introduced a 10 mg strawberry-flavored Bilastine oral dispersible tablet for children aged 6-11 years, marking a significant milestone. This product not only addresses the need for a child-friendly alternative but also emphasizes the importance of flavor and ease of use.
As novel ODT products continue to improve patient compliance and overall satisfaction, they are expected to propel the market's growth by offering more tailored solutions to a wide range of patients.
Orally disintegrating tablets are gaining popularity in the generic drug market due to their numerous benefits, such as rapid disintegration and the ability to be taken without water. These advantages are particularly attractive for patients who require easier medication options. The growing use of ODTs in generics is helping to make medications more accessible and convenient for a larger population.
The global orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) market is experiencing robust growth due to the surge in new product launches. Companies are significantly investing in both manufacturing and research to expand their portfolios and meet growing patient demands. This increase in product availability is helping to fuel market expansion.
These continuous product launches are not only enhancing the variety of ODT offerings but also making these innovative products more accessible to patients, driving further growth.
The escalating focus on research and development in the ODT sector is playing a crucial role in market growth. Companies are heavily investing in R&D to develop ODT formulations for a wide range of drugs, including those originally not available in oral forms. R&D is also enabling the conversion of traditional non-oral medications into more convenient, patient-friendly ODT options.
This increasing emphasis on R&D is helping drive the market forward, leading to the launch of novel and innovative ODT products.
One of the key factors restraining the growth of the orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) market is the limited drug load capacity. Due to the unique design of ODTs, which are smaller in size to ensure fast disintegration in the mouth, it becomes challenging to load high doses of active ingredients. As a result, ODTs are typically available in lower doses compared to conventional tablets, restricting their applicability for medications that require higher doses. For example, Adare Pharma Solutions' Advatabs has a drug loading capacity of up to 500 mg. This limitation in drug load capacity results in a narrower range of formulations available in the ODT market, ultimately limiting its growth potential.
The growing demand for orally disintegrating tablets (ODTs) is driven by the unique challenges faced by pediatric and geriatric patients when it comes to swallowing traditional tablets. Children, especially those with developmental or cognitive issues, often struggle with swallowing pills, while geriatric patients are significantly affected by dysphagia, a condition that makes swallowing difficult.
The increasing prevalence of dysphagia in the aging population is creating new opportunities for ODTs, driving demand and market growth in these segments.
Study Period | 2021-2033 | CAGR | 7.38% |
Historical Period | 2021-2023 | Forecast Period | 2025-2033 |
Base Year | 2024 | Base Year Market Size | USD 14.76 billion |
Forecast Year | 2033 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 28.88 billion |
Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Asia-Pacific |
North America leads the global orally disintegrating tablet market, capturing the largest revenue share. This dominance is driven by significant investments in research and development, as well as a high prevalence of chronic conditions such as mental health disorders, hypertension, and gastrointestinal diseases.
The need for long-term medication management for conditions like hypertension is fueling the demand for convenient drug delivery options, such as ODTs, which require no water and are easier to administer. This growing need for ODTs is contributing to the overall market expansion in North America.
Asia-Pacific is projected to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, owing to factors such as rising cases of chronic diseases, growing healthcare awareness, and increasing product launches in various countries with continuous research and development. For instance, in June 2024, HK inno.N launched K-CAB ODT 25 mg for treatment of Gastrointestinal Reflux Disease (GERD). It is the only product with ODT formulation and indication for maintenance therapy among P-CAB class products released in Korea.
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The anti-psychotics segment holds the largest market share, driven by the rising prevalence of mental health disorders and the increasing demand for easier-to-administer medications. Research and development efforts are fueling the launch of new ODT products tailored for mental health treatment, further solidifying this segment’s dominance. According to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 13.9% of the global population experienced mental health disorders in 2021, underscoring the growing need for accessible treatment options.
The conventional segment leads the market, primarily due to the cost-effectiveness and simplicity of methods like dry granulation, wet granulation, and direct compression. These processes do not require specialized equipment or conditions, making them highly efficient and adaptable for mass production. The flexibility to switch platforms based on formulation components also contributes to the popularity of conventional technologies among manufacturers, reinforcing its dominance in the ODT market.
Hospital pharmacies dominate the distribution of ODTs, particularly for conditions that require specialized care, such as mental health disorders, severe hypertension, gastrointestinal issues, and seizures. These diseases often necessitate hospitalization, where hospital pharmacies play a critical role in providing timely access to medications. Their essential position in the healthcare system as the primary distribution channel for these treatments leads to the hospital pharmacies segment commanding the largest market revenue.
Key players in the orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) market are actively investing in R&D and expanding their manufacturing capabilities to strengthen their product portfolios and increase market penetration. These companies are focused on developing innovative and optimized ODT formulations that cater to a wide range of therapeutic applications, including mental health, gastrointestinal disorders, and chronic conditions.
KalVista Pharmaceuticals: An emerging provider in the orally disintegrating tablet market
KalVista Pharmaceuticals is an emerging player in the orally disintegrating tablet (ODT) market, known for its groundbreaking work in oral protease inhibitor drugs. The company leverages its deep expertise in the kallikrein-kinin system to develop novel treatments for various diseases, including those related to inflammation and vascular health.
In September 2024, KalVista Pharmaceuticals announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) acceptance of a New Drug Application (NDA) for Sebetralstat for oral on-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema. It is a novel, investigational oral plasma kallikrein inhibitor for the on-demand treatment of hereditary angioedema (HAE) attacks in adult and pediatric patients aged 12 years and older.
As per our analyst, the global orally disintegrating tablet market is witnessing robust growth, driven by several key factors. The rising prevalence of mental health disorders, gastrointestinal issues, hypertension, and migraines is fueling demand for easier-to-administer treatments. Additionally, the launch of innovative ODT products enhances patient compliance, while significant investments in R&D and manufacturing facilities further propel market expansion.
Regulatory support plays a crucial role in facilitating the introduction of new products, and collaborations are fostering advancements in novel drug delivery systems. However, despite these positive trends, challenges persist. Issues such as formulation complexities, high production costs, and patient preferences for traditional dosage forms may slow down market penetration.
Moreover, the market faces stiff competition from other drug delivery methods. Nevertheless, overcoming these challenges through continued innovation and strategic partnerships will likely secure long-term growth in the ODT sector.