Motion Sickness Treatment Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2023-2028)

During the forecast period, the market for medicines to treat motion sickness is expected to register a CAGR of 3.0%.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected healthcare systems globally and resulted in the interruption of usual care in many healthcare facilities, exposing vulnerable patients with cancer to significant risks. According to a CDC article, the number of international tourist arrivals worldwide fell by 73% in 2020 compared to the previous year due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.The global volume of international visitor arrivals reached 415 million in 2021, up 4% from 2020 but still far below pre-pandemic levels. Thus, the low tourist arrivals due to the complete lockdown have impacted the growth of the studied market. However, as restrictions are lifted and tourism resumes in countries, the market is expanding, and international arrivals are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels in two to three years.

Factors such as an increase in the number of travelers and virtual reality exposure around the world, as well as an increase in the use of prescription motion sickness drugs, are driving market growth.

The rise in the number of travelers across the globe is increasing motion sickness, which further boosts the demand for motion sickness treatment. For instance, according to the data published by the UNWTO, in November 2022, an estimated 700 million tourists traveled internationally between January and September of that year, an increase of more than twice the number of tourists who traveled for the same period in 2021. In addition, as per the same source, more than 477 million tourists traveled in Europe in January-September 2022, reaching pre-pandemic levels by 81%. Thus, the increasing number of people traveling across countries increases the risk of experiencing motion sickness, which in turn is expected to increase the demand for effective drugs that reduce the symptoms, hence propelling the market's growth.

Additionally, as per an article published in Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology in April 2021, it has been observed that females experience more symptoms of motion sickness than males in virtual reality (VR). Thus, the high burden of motion sickness, especially in females, is expected to increase the demand for antihistamines and anticholinergic drugs that block the emetic H1-receptors to prevent motion sickness. This is anticipated to augment market growth over the forecast period.

Furthermore, the rising company's focus on launching products that treat and reduce motion sickness symptoms is also contributing to market growth. For instance, in August 2021, Reliefband launched Reliefband Sport, a new IPX7-designated waterproof wearable therapeutic device that offers user-controlled therapy to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness, morning sickness from pregnancy, anxiety, hangovers, physician-diagnosed migraines, chemotherapy, and as an adjunct to antiemetics in treating post-operative nausea.

Therefore, owing to the aforementioned factors, the studied market is expected to grow over the forecast period. However, the reluctance in emerging countries due to the higher cost of prescription drugs and excessive reliance on OTC and traditional medicines is likely to hinder the growth of the market over the forecast period.

Motion Sickness Treatment Market Trends

Anticholinergic Treatment Segment is Expected to Hold the Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period

The anticholinergics segment is likely to grow in the forecast period owing to long-lasting relief, better efficacy, better patient compliance, and fewer side effects compared to other treatments. Also, the growing demand, along with the higher prices of these products, is expected to contribute to the highest revenue of the segment during the forecast period.

Anticholinergic drugs are those that disrupt the activity of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter or chemical messenger. These drugs block acetylcholine from binding to its receptors on certain nerve cells and inhibit parasympathetic nerve impulses. The scopolamine patch is the most commonly used anticholinergic used to treat motion sickness. It reduces nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms.

Some of the anticholinergic drugs used for treating motion sickness and reducing dizziness and vomiting are Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), Meclizine (Dramamine II, Antivert), Prochlorperazine (Compazine), and Scopolamine (Transderm Scop, Scopace, Donnatal).

According to an article published by NCBI in November 2021, it has been observed that scopolamine is the most effective medication that inhibits input to the vestibular nuclei by functioning as a nonselective antimuscarinic. In addition, scopolamine is less sedating than antihistamine medications. Also, as per a study by NASA and the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory, intranasal scopolamine is considered an effective drug for treating the severe discomfort associated with astronauts' motion sickness in space. Thus, such studies are expected to increase its adoption among consumers, which in turn is anticipated to fuel the market's growth over the forecast period.

Furthermore, the rising number of clinical studies is also contributing to segment growth. For instance, as per clinicaltrials.gov, as of October 2022, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center is conducting a Phase I clinical study to evaluate the effectiveness of scopolamine using an intranasal nebulizer for treating motion sickness.

Therefore, owing to factors such as the availability of a high number of anticholinergic drugs and increasing research studies, the studied segment is expected to grow over the forecast period.

North America is Expected to Have the Significant Market Share Over the Forecast Period

North America is expected to witness significant growth in the motion sickness treatment market over the forecast period. The factors contributing to market growth are the increasing tourism in the region, especially in the United States, and the growing adoption of highly expensive prescription drugs. In addition, the increasing adoption of scopolamine and its transdermal patches for reducing the urge to vomit is further boosting the growth of the market.

The rise in tourism is the key factor driving the demand for motion sickness drugs in the region, which is anticipated to fuel market growth over the forecast period. For instance, according to the data published by the UNWTO, in November 2022, America recorded strong growth in the number of tourists traveling in 2022 as compared to 2021, with arrivals reaching 65% of the pre-pandemic level.

Additionally, as per the same source, the US Virgin Islands recorded an increase of 32% of the arrivals in the first five to seven months of 2022, followed by Albania (more than 19%), Saint Maarten (over 15%), Ethiopia and Honduras (13%), Andorra (over 10%), and Puerto Rico (over 7%). Furthermore, as per the data published by CEIC in October 2022, it has been observed that about 1,444,261 people traveled to the country in September 2022, as compared to 1,819,364 people in 2021. Thus, the increase in tourists traveling to the region increases the demand for drugs and wearables to prevent the symptoms, which in turn is expected to propel the market's growth.

Moreover, the rising company focus on conducting clinical trials and rising product launches in the region is also contributing to the market's growth. For instance, as per clinicaltrials.gov, as of September 2022, Repurposed Therapeutics, Inc. is conducting a Phase III clinical study to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DPI-386 nasal gel for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness.

Therefore, owing to factors such as rising tourism and an increasing number of clinical studies in the region, the studied market is anticipated to fuel market growth over the forecast period.

Motion Sickness Treatment Market Competitor Analysis

The motion sickness treatment market is moderately competitive and consists of several major players. A few of the major players currently dominating the market are implementing various development strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, product launches, and others to maintain their position in the motion sickness market. Some of the key players in the market are Prestige Consumer Healthcare Inc., WellSpring Pharmaceutical Corporation, Caleb Pharmaceuticals Inc., Myungmoon Pharm Co. Ltd., CVS Health, and Lupin Limited, among others.

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