Xerostomia Therapeutics Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity & Forecast, Segmented By Type (OTC, Prescription), By Product (Salivary Stimulants, Salivary Substitutes, Dentifrices), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.74 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.02%
Fastest Growing Segment	Dentifrices
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.47 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market will grow from USD 2.74 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.47 Billion by 2031 at a 4.02% CAGR. Xerostomia therapeutics encompass pharmacological agents and salivary substitutes designed to alleviate dry mouth symptoms by stimulating natural saliva production or mimicking oral moisture. The market is primarily driven by the expanding geriatric population and the rising prevalence of chronic conditions such as autoimmune diseases and head and neck malignancies which necessitate treatments that damage salivary function. According to the American Cancer Society, in 2025, approximately 59,660 new cases of oral cavity or oropharyngeal cancer were estimated in the United States. This increasing incidence directly correlates with a higher demand for therapeutics to manage salivary dysfunction resulting from radiation therapy.

One significant challenge hindering market expansion is the financial burden associated with ongoing management. Many advanced prescription treatments and enzymatic substitutes remain prohibitively expensive for patients lacking comprehensive insurance coverage. This economic barrier limits widespread adoption and adherence to available therapeutic regimens particularly in developing regions where healthcare expenditure is restricted.

Key Market Drivers

The escalating global geriatric population stands as the foremost catalyst propelling the xerostomia therapeutics market, as natural glandular degeneration significantly compromises salivary function in older adults. Aging is intrinsically linked to acinar atrophy and reduced salivary flow, creating a sustained demand for palliative treatments and salivary substitutes to maintain oral homeostasis. This demographic shift ensures a widening patient base necessitating long-term therapeutic management rather than acute care. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), October 2025, in the 'Ageing and Health' fact sheet, the global population aged 60 years and older is projected to double to 2.1 billion by 2050, highlighting the massive scale of the susceptible demographic that manufacturers are targeting with age-specific formulations.

Concurrently, the widespread use of xerostomia-inducing pharmaceutical medications amplifies market growth, particularly where polypharmacy is standard practice for chronic disease management. Hundreds of essential drug classes, including antihypertensives, antidepressants, and antihistamines, list dry mouth as a prevalent side effect, driving patients to seek over-the-counter relief products to mitigate discomfort. According to Oralieve, February 2025, in the 'Healthcare Professional Dry Mouth Survey 2025', over 70% of surveyed professionals cited medicine side effects and polypharmacy as the main factors for the rising prevalence of dry mouth in their patients. This direct causation spurs commercial opportunities for specialized oral care brands; according to Haleon, March 2025, in the 'Annual Report and Form 20-F 2024', their Oral Health category revenue reached £3.3 billion, reflecting a 5.6% increase driven partly by innovation in therapeutic products catering to compromised oral conditions.

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Key Market Challenges

The high cost of treatment and the lack of comprehensive insurance coverage constitute a significant challenge hindering the growth of the Global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market. Advanced pharmacological agents and enzymatic saliva substitutes are often priced at a premium, yet many public and private insurance plans classify these products as non-essential or supportive care. This reimbursement gap forces patients to bear a substantial financial burden through out-of-pocket expenses. Consequently, many individuals, particularly those on fixed incomes or in developing regions, are compelled to opt for cheaper, less effective over-the-counter alternatives or to discontinue treatment entirely, thereby reducing the volume of product sales and limiting market penetration.

This economic barrier is particularly detrimental because it disproportionately affects the geriatric population, which represents the primary consumer base for xerostomia therapeutics. When the core target demographic faces restricted access to care due to financial limitations, the market's potential for revenue expansion is directly curtailed. According to the National Association of Dental Plans, in 2025, only about 70% of seniors maintained dental coverage. This coverage gap leaves a significant portion of the most vulnerable population exposed to full treatment costs, discouraging the adoption of prescription-grade xerostomia therapies and directly dampening the overall growth trajectory of the market.

Key Market Trends

The Emergence of Regenerative Medicine and Gene Therapy Candidates represents a fundamental shift in the xerostomia therapeutics landscape, moving from palliative symptom management to the curative restoration of salivary function. Unlike traditional sialagogues that provide only transient relief, these novel bio-therapeutic modalities aim to repair radiation-damaged tissue or correct genetic defects within the salivary glands to permanently restore autologous saliva production. This trend is rapidly advancing through clinical pipelines, with pharmaceutical developers actively targeting long-term efficacy for patients suffering from head and neck malignancies. According to MeiraGTx, November 2025, in the 'Third Quarter 2025 Financial and Operational Results', the company is enrolling the final cohorts for its pivotal Phase 2 study of AAV-hAQP1, a gene therapy for radiation-induced xerostomia, with a targeted biologics license application filing expected in 2027.

The Proliferation of Clinically Validated Over-the-Counter Product Lines is concurrently reshaping the market as manufacturers prioritize science-backed claims to differentiate commoditized oral care solutions. Market leaders are increasingly investing in specialized research infrastructure to develop advanced formulations that offer superior bio-adhesion and prolonged moisture retention, effectively bridging the gap between basic consumer goods and prescription-grade therapies. This industry-wide commitment to upgrading R&D capabilities is evident in recent large-scale capital projects intended to accelerate product innovation. According to Haleon, July 2025, in the press release 'Haleon Breaks Ground on new Global Oral Health Innovation Centre', the company initiated the construction of a £130 million facility in the UK designed to serve as a global hub for developing next-generation oral health technologies and commercializing new therapeutic solutions.

Segmental Insights

Based on market analysis, the Dentifrices segment is projected to register the fastest growth within the Global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market due to the increasing consumer preference for multi-functional, over-the-counter solutions. This expansion is primarily driven by the unique ability of specialized toothpastes to provide symptomatic relief while simultaneously mitigating the high risk of dental caries associated with reduced salivary flow. Furthermore, the widespread availability of cost-effective formulations that exclude mucosal irritants, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, significantly enhances patient compliance. Favorable recommendations from dental professionals regarding daily preventive oral hygiene further solidify the segment's dominant growth trajectory.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market, primarily driven by the significant burden of Sjögren's syndrome and the prevalence of radiation-induced dry mouth resulting from head and neck cancer treatments. This regional dominance is underpinned by a well-established healthcare framework that prioritizes the management of chronic and autoimmune disorders. Furthermore, substantial investment in research and development by key pharmaceutical entities accelerates the availability of therapeutic options. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plays a critical role in this ecosystem, fostering market growth through the approval of prescription sialogogues and the review of novel clinical therapies.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Young Innovations formed a strategic partnership with Umayana to launch Murnia Mouth Spray in the United States market. This collaboration introduced a biotechnology-based solution aimed at providing relief for persistent oral dryness, a condition affecting a significant patient population. The product features a patented formula containing natural ingredients, including hyaluronic acid and betaine, to effectively moisturize and refresh the oral cavity. The companies emphasized that the alcohol-free spray was designed to maintain a neutral pH and support oral health, offering a new therapeutic option for patients managing xerostomia symptoms daily.
• In August 2025, Novartis reported positive top-line results from two Phase III clinical trials, NEPTUNUS-1 and NEPTUNUS-2, evaluating ianalumab for the treatment of Sjögren's disease. The studies met their primary endpoints, demonstrating statistically significant improvements in disease activity compared to placebo over a 52-week period. The company noted that the treatment showed potential in addressing key symptoms such as oral dryness, fatigue, and pain. These findings supported the efficacy of ianalumab's dual mechanism of action, which involves B-cell depletion and receptor inhibition, positioning it as a potential first targeted therapy for patients with this autoimmune condition.
• In December 2024, MeiraGTx Holdings plc announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy designation to its gene therapy candidate, AAV2-hAQP1, for treating radiation-induced xerostomia. This designation was supported by clinical data demonstrating significant improvements in salivary production and patient-reported outcomes. The company highlighted that the therapy is designed to restore salivary function by introducing a water channel protein into damaged glands. This regulatory milestone facilitates expedited development and review of the potential treatment, addressing a significant unmet medical need for cancer survivors suffering from this chronic and debilitating condition.
• In April 2024, OrthoNu expanded its portfolio by launching a new line of oral relief products designed to alleviate discomfort for orthodontic patients, including specific solutions for xerostomia. The company introduced innovative items such as "Chillin' Strips" and "OrthoChewz," which were formulated to provide relief from dry mouth symptoms while soothing irritated gums. These products were designed to dissolve in the mouth, offering long-lasting comfort and moisture without harboring bacteria, unlike traditional silicone chews. This launch aimed to enhance the daily oral care routine for patients wearing braces or aligners by effectively addressing common side effects such as persistent oral dryness.

Key Market Players

• GlaxoSmithKline plc
• Church & Dwight Co., Inc.
• Colgate-Palmolive Company
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC
• Pharmascience Inc.
• Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries Ltd
• Lupin Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Pfizer, Inc.
• Parnell Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Acacia Pharma

By Type	By Product	By Region
OTC Prescription	Salivary Stimulants Salivary Substitutes Dentifrices	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Xerostomia Therapeutics Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Xerostomia Therapeutics Market, By Type:

• OTC
• Prescription

• Xerostomia Therapeutics Market, By Product:

• Salivary Stimulants
• Salivary Substitutes
• Dentifrices

• Xerostomia Therapeutics Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE