Overview:

As per the latest research citing of the European Respiratory Journal 2016 report, the global prevalence rate of cough was 9.6%. The largest prevalence was in the Oceania region with 18.1% followed by Europe, America, Asia and Africa with 12.7%, 11.0%, 4.4% and 2.3% respectively. Cough is basically a reflex action produced by the defense mechanism system of the human body to clear the upper airways. Rapid industrialization and urbanization is resulting in tremendous air pollution. Particulate matter (PM) of size 2 and 10 microns produced from automobile emissions, incomplete combustion, dust and cooking are the primary factors that trigger cough. Chronic cough that lasts for more than eight weeks accounts for 10% prevalence in the community. Smokers have high prevalence in comparison to non-smokers; and women have a more sensitive cough reflex as compared to men. The diseases causing chronic cough are eosinophilic bronchitis, asthma, gastroesophageal reflux disease, rhinosinusitis and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease. In the last decade there has been a rampant increase in the number of patients suffering with chronic cough which is attributed to factors such as cigarette smoking, air pollution and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

Currently, the drugs employed as antitussive agents to suppress cough are of narcotic and non-narcotic origin. The mechanism of action involved in cough suppression using narcotic drugs such as dextromethorphan and codeine is the depression of cough centers situated in medulla by stimulating the sigma receptors. The mechanism of action involved using non-narcotic drug such as benzonatate is providing anesthetic effect to the stretch receptors situated in lungs, respiratory passage and pleura, thereby dampening their activity and suppressing cough reflex.

The promising drug in pipeline Transpulmin (Ache Laboratorios Farmaceuticos S.A.) is having promising results in phase III clinical trials for treatment of cough in children by its expectorant, fluidity and antiseptic activity. Transpulmin is set to register significant growth in the near future as it is made from natural sources with negligible side effects in comparison to narcotic and non-narcotic antitussive agents.

The antitussives market is segmented on the following bases:

• Drug Class
  • Narcotic
    • Dextromethorphan
    • Codeine
    • Hydrocodone
    • Methadone
    • Noscapine
    • Butorphanol
  • Non-Narcotic
    • Benzonatate
    • Pipazethate
• Pipeline Analysis
  • Phase III Drugs
    • Transpulmin
    • Dexchlorpheniramine/Pseudoephedrine/Guaifenesin
• Geography
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Europe
    • U.K.
    • Germany
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Middle East and Africa
    • GCC
    • Rest of Middle East and Africa

Key players identified for antitussives market includes:

AstraZeneca, Alkem Laboratories, Cipla, Glenmark Pharmaceuticals, Johnson and Johnson, Merck & Co., Novartis AG, Pfizer, Inc., Toray Industries, Zoetus and Zydus Cadila etc.

This report offers:

• Market assessment is conducted by taking 2017 as base year and the forecast duration from 2018 to 2026. It is an important tool which helps to understand the existing market trend in the antitussives market
• Attractive investment proposition by drug class and across various geographical regions are given to decipher the performance of narcotic and non-narcotic drugs as an antitussive agent
• Competitive landscape is given to understand the prevailing competition among the key players actively engaged in the manufacturing of oral formulation containing antitussive agent
• In the company profiles segment, the product portfolio exhibits various types of antitussive drugs currently prescribed throughout the globe as cough suppressant