The global xerostomia therapeutics market size was valued at USD 2.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 3.1 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 4.1% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The expanding usage of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer treatment and the increased use of prescribed pharmaceuticals are projected to drive Xerostomia Therapeutics market growth.
Xerostomia treatments relate to the many treatment options for dry mouth, also known as xerostomia. This disorder arises when saliva production is diminished, causing discomfort and potentially serious problems such as dental decay, mouth infections, and trouble speaking and swallowing. Therapeutics for xerostomia seek to relieve symptoms, increase saliva production, and prevent dry mouth consequences.
A major concern is the growing use of chemotherapy and radiotherapy in cancer treatment. Chemotherapy and radiotherapy are critical components of cancer treatment, used to target and eliminate cancer cells. Furthermore, the increasing use of prescribed pharmaceuticals contributes to market growth. Xerostomia can also be a side effect of many drugs, especially those used to treat chronic illnesses.
However, these therapies can cause negative effects, including salivary gland injury. During cancer treatment, the salivary glands are frequently exposed to radiation or impacted by chemotherapy medicines.
The growing older population worldwide is a significant driver of the xerostomia treatment industry. Individuals are more likely to develop xerostomia as they age due to changes in salivary gland function and the incidence of age-related disorders that cause dry mouth, such as medication use and comorbidities. As the global population ages, the demand for xerostomia treatments will likely rise.
According to Japan's Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, the proportion of persons aged 65 and over in the country's population in 2023 would be 29.1%, a record high. This indicates that Japan has the world's highest proportion of older adults, at 36.2 million. Italy and Finland are second and third, with 24.5% and 23.6% of the population, respectively. As Japan's older population continues to expand, so does the prevalence of xerostomia and the demand for dry mouth treatment. Healthcare professionals and pharmaceutical businesses in Japan are aggressively working to address the unique needs of older adults with xerostomia through innovative treatment approaches and patient-centered care initiatives.
Furthermore, by 2030, one in every six people will be 60 or older. The proportion of the population aged 60 and up will rise from 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion. By 2050, the global population of persons aged 60 and up will double (2.1 billion). Studies have indicated that the prevalence of xerostomia rises with age, with estimates ranging from 20% to 40% among people aged 65 and more. Older adults are more likely to develop xerostomia because of age-related changes in salivary gland function, polypharmacy (the use of numerous drugs), and underlying health issues.
Some drugs often used to treat xerostomia symptoms, such as sialogogues like pilocarpine and cevimeline, can have unpleasant side effects that impair tolerability and adherence. These side effects can dissuade patients from taking prescribed medications or cause treatment cessation, reducing the efficacy of xerostomia therapies. Pilocarpine is a cholinergic agonist that increases saliva output by activating muscarinic receptors on salivary gland cells. However, pilocarpine can activate muscarinic receptors in various tissues of the body, causing systemic adverse effects such as impaired vision, sweat, nausea, and gastrointestinal difficulties.
Additionally, cevimeline is another cholinergic agonist used to boost saliva production in xerostomia sufferers. Cevimeline, like pilocarpine, can cause systemic adverse effects that affect patient tolerance and compliance. Cevimeline users frequently suffer gastrointestinal side symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. These symptoms can be distressing for patients, and they may need medication termination or dose decrease. In addition, Cevimeline may cause or worsen headaches in some people. Headaches can disrupt daily activities and lower patient satisfaction with therapy.
While pilocarpine and cevimeline are efficient at increasing saliva production and relieving xerostomia symptoms, their use may be limited due to side effects such as sweating, gastrointestinal difficulties, blurred vision, headache, and dizziness. When providing these medications to patients with xerostomia, healthcare practitioners must examine the potential advantages and hazards, as well as alternate therapy choices for those who have unbearable side effects.
Continuous advances in pharmaceutical research and development pave the way for novel xerostomia therapies with higher efficacy, safety profiles, and patient adherence. Novel drug delivery technologies, such as mucoadhesive patches, oral sprays, and controlled-release formulations, provide opportunities to improve active ingredient administration and extend therapeutic effects. Furthermore, developing technologies such as gene therapy, stem cell therapy, and salivary gland regeneration procedures promise to treat xerostomia's underlying causes and give patients long-term remedies.
Furthermore, mouth sprays are practical and portable dosage forms that release a thin mist of active chemicals directly into the mouth cavity, resulting in quick absorption and activity. Sprays containing lubricants, saliva replacements, or saliva-stimulating substances can quickly relieve dry mouth symptoms while improving oral moisture balance. The FDA authorized ZURZUVAE in August 2023 as the first and only oral therapy indicated for adults with PPD. ZURZUVAE became commercially available in December 2023. ZURZUVAE is being developed and marketed in partnership with Biogen, Inc. Sage also offers ZULRESSO® (brexanolone) CIV injection for treating PPD.
Mucoadhesive patches, on the other hand, are thin, flexible films that stick to the oral mucosa and gradually release active substances to increase saliva production and treat dry mouth. These patches can be put directly to the inside of the cheek or gum, providing prolonged medication delivery while limiting systemic side effects.
| Study Period | 2020-2032 | CAGR | 4.1% |
| Historical Period | 2020-2022 | Forecast Period | 2024-2032 |
| Base Year | 2023 | Base Year Market Size | USD 2.1 billion |
| Forecast Year | 2032 | Forecast Year Market Size | USD 3.1 billion |
| Largest Market | North America | Fastest Growing Market | Asia-Pacific |
The global xerostomia therapeutics market share is bifurcated into into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.
North America is the most significant global xerostomia therapeutics market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% over the forecast period. The rising prevalence of xerostomia and other dry mouth-associated disorders, including Sjogren's syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis, together with an increase in dry mouth awareness activities, are significant contributors to dominance. Sjögren's syndrome is a devastating, systemic autoimmune illness that affects around 4 million Americans. The Sjogren's Foundation launched the April is Sjogren's Awareness Month campaign to raise awareness of the syndrome. In 2023, The Sjögren's Foundation's #ThisIsSjögrens campaign will feature 30 genuine sufferers to highlight the disease's diversity and effect. The ad ran every day of April, with each post providing a brief look into life with Sjögren's.
Additionally, in 2018, Prisyna, Synedgen, Inc.'s oral care division, acquired U.S. FDA permission to commercialize Moisyn products that can alleviate xerostomia symptoms while improving patients' oral health. According to Prisyna, the clinical trial results suggest that patients who used Moisyn products reported less discomfort while eating, less dryness while speaking, better sleep, and increased oral feeling for better taste. In 2020, the University of Wisconsin Carbone Cancer Center got an IND (Investigational New Drug) authorization from the US FDA to commence clinical studies on the first individualized immune-activated cell treatment for radiotherapy-related xerostomia. This cell therapy uses the patient's own interferon-gamma-activated marrow stromal cells.
Asia-Pacific is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period, driven by rising healthcare spending, more awareness-raising initiatives, and a growth in diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson's disease. According to a 2023 study, 2.3% of Japanese patients aged 50 and older were diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD), which is more than the NHPI's 0.9%. The incidence of Parkinson's disease rises with age, with the most significant age group (80-84 years old) accounting for 3.4% of all PD cases. Men had a 91% greater incidence rate (19.0 per 100,000) than women (9.9 per 100,000).
Furthermore, cancer rates are rapidly rising in the Asia-Pacific region. For example, according to GLOBOCAN 2020, there are 9,386,454 new cancer cases in Asia, with a projected total of 14,229,878 by 2040. Emerging economies, such as China and India, have implemented health and industrial strategies to promote domestic manufacturing of cancer medications, resulting in cheaper therapy costs. Lower therapeutic costs and increased cancer awareness drive demand for chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The rising cancer burden leads to increased use of radiation and chemotherapy, as well as the dry mouth symptoms associated with these treatments. As a result, therapies for treating xerostomia are in high demand, boosting market expansion in the region.
Europe is a substantial market for xerostomia therapies due to its aging population, high prevalence of illnesses such as Sjögren's syndrome and cancer, and growing awareness of oral health issues.
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The global xerostomia therapeutics market is segmented based on type and product.
The market is further segmented by type into OTC and prescription.
The OTC segment had the most significant market share in 2023 and is predicted to increase at a healthy CAGR over the forecast period. Over-the-counter xerostomia therapies are drugs and oral care products that customers can buy without a prescription and use to address their dry mouth symptoms. These products frequently include saliva substitutes, oral moisturizing gels, mouth rinses, tablets, and chewing gums designed to alleviate dry mouth symptoms. OTC xerostomia treatments give patients ease and accessibility, allowing them to treat mild to moderate dry mouth symptoms without medical intervention. However, OTC treatments may have limits in treating the underlying causes of xerostomia and may not give adequate relief for severe or persistent dry mouth symptoms.
Moreover, the dominance stems from its enormous range and availability, safety and efficacy, the availability of few branded pharmaceuticals, and low product prices. OTC medications are the primary treatment for xerostomia. Most xerostomia can be treated with over-the-counter medicines without consequences. In severe circumstances, prescription medications are used. Treating and controlling it with adequate care and medication is possible, avoiding further consequences.
Prescription xerostomia therapies are pharmaceuticals that a healthcare physician must prescribe before they may be administered to patients. These prescription drugs usually comprise sialogogues like pilocarpine and cevimeline, which stimulate saliva production by stimulating muscarinic receptors in the salivary glands. Prescription xerostomia treatments are recommended for those who have moderate to severe dry mouth symptoms or underlying illnesses that cause xerostomia, such as Sjögren's syndrome or radiation-induced xerostomia. Prescription drugs provide focused treatment for xerostomia and may be more effective in promoting saliva secretion, but they must be evaluated and monitored for potential side effects and drug interactions.
The market can be bifurcated by product into Salivary Stimulants, Salivary Substitutes, Dentifrices.
The salivary stimulants segment dominated the market, accounting for 40%. Salivary stimulants are xerostomia treatments that accelerate saliva production and secretion by enhancing salivary gland function. These drugs stimulate salivary gland cells' muscarinic receptors, improve neurotransmitter signaling pathways, and increase saliva flow. They are further divided into pharmacological (acts on the neurological system) and non-pharmacological (acts on taste buds or chewing muscles). They come in various forms, including mints, sugar-free chewing gum, sprays, and lozenges. K Pharmaceuticals will release Aquoral, a clinically proven oral spray for dry mouth treatment (also known as xerostomia), in July 2023. The spray offers relief for up to six hours. In September 2021, ICPA Health Products Ltd. introduced Wet Mouth, a sodium carboxymethyl cellulose-based saliva substitute for treating xerostomia that reduces surface abrasion.
Salivary substitutes are xerostomia treatments designed to imitate the composition and function of natural saliva, giving lubrication, moisture, and protection to oral tissues afflicted by dry mouth. These products often contain carboxymethylcellulose, glycerin, xylitol, and electrolytes to replicate saliva's viscoelastic qualities and keep the mouth hydrated. Salivary substitutes come in various forms, including oral sprays, gels, tablets, and mouth rinses, and can be used as needed to relieve dry mouth throughout the day. Salivary substitutes provide a non-pharmacological approach to xerostomia management and can be used alone or in conjunction with other xerostomia treatments to improve oral moisture balance and patient comfort.
