Global Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Size, Share, and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2032

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Analysis

The hepatic encephalopathy treatment market is experiencing steady growth, driven by advancements in diagnostic tools, treatment options, and increasing awareness of the disease's impact. Hepatic encephalopathy, a serious complication of liver disease, is commonly managed through medication, dietary changes, and, in severe cases, surgical interventions. The market has witnessed a surge in innovative therapies, such as rifaximin and lactulose, which remain the mainstay for managing the condition. Emerging treatments, including novel antibiotics and ammonia-lowering agents, offer promising options for improved patient outcomes. Technological advancements in imaging and liver function tests are enabling early and accurate diagnosis, further driving the demand for effective treatments. For instance, blood ammonia tests and advanced MRI techniques are increasingly used to monitor the condition, ensuring timely intervention. Moreover, the rise in liver-related disorders due to lifestyle changes, alcohol consumption, and aging populations has escalated the prevalence of hepatic encephalopathy globally.

North America dominates the market due to robust healthcare infrastructure and high adoption of advanced therapies, while Asia-Pacific is projected to exhibit significant growth owing to rising healthcare investments and awareness. As the industry evolves, increased focus on research and development is expected to yield better, targeted treatments, enhancing quality of life for patients worldwide.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Size

The global hepatic encephalopathy treatment market size was valued at USD 1.64 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.49 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 5.80% during the forecast period of 2025 to 2032. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include depth expert analysis, patient epidemiology, pipeline analysis, pricing analysis, and regulatory framework.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Trends

“Growing Adoption of Combination Therapies”

A key trend in the hepatic encephalopathy treatment market is the growing adoption of combination therapies to enhance treatment efficacy. Combining antibiotics such as rifaximin with lactulose has become a standard approach to reducing ammonia levels in patients, improving clinical outcomes. Recent advancements include the development of soluble solid dispersion (SSD) formulations of rifaximin, currently in Phase III clinical trials, which aim to improve drug bioavailability and patient compliance. This trend addresses the limitations of monotherapy, such as suboptimal response rates and recurrence of symptoms. Moreover, healthcare providers are increasingly using combination regimens in tandem with dietary modifications and ammonia-lowering agents such as L-ornithine-L-aspartate for comprehensive management. For instance, Bausch Health’s ongoing research into enhanced rifaximin formulations exemplifies the industry's focus on optimizing existing treatments. As awareness of hepatic encephalopathy grows, the demand for such innovative therapies continues to drive market expansion, particularly in regions with rising liver disease prevalence.

Report Scope and Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Segmentation         

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Definition

Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) treatment refers to the medical interventions used to manage and alleviate the symptoms of hepatic encephalopathy, a condition that arises when the liver is unable to remove toxins from the blood, leading to a buildup of substances such as ammonia that affect brain function. The treatment primarily focuses on reducing the production and absorption of ammonia, improving liver function, and managing the underlying liver disease.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Increasing Prevalence of Liver Diseases

The increasing prevalence of liver diseases is a significant driver for the growth of the hepatic encephalopathy treatment market. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), liver diseases, including cirrhosis, hepatitis, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), have seen a dramatic rise globally, with an estimated 844 million people suffering from chronic liver diseases worldwide. Cirrhosis alone is responsible for over 1 million deaths annually. As these conditions advance, they often lead to the development of hepatic encephalopathy, a severe complication that impacts brain function. This progression heightens the demand for effective treatments, such as lactulose and rifaximin, which help manage ammonia levels and mitigate neurological symptoms. With liver disease-related hospitalizations on the rise, particularly in aging populations, the growing incidence of hepatic encephalopathy is driving the market for innovative therapies. As the number of cases increases, the need for improved diagnostic tools and treatment options continues to expand, making this a key market driver.

• Increasing Global Aging Population

The global aging population is a crucial factor driving the demand for hepatic encephalopathy treatments. According to the United Nations, the number of people aged 60 and older is expected to more than double, from 1 billion in 2020 to 2.1 billion by 2050. As individuals age, the prevalence of chronic liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, also increases, making older adults more susceptible to developing hepatic encephalopathy. For instance, studies indicate that approximately 30-45% of patients with cirrhosis will develop hepatic encephalopathy during their lifetime. Given the aging population's increased vulnerability to liver diseases and their need for long-term management, the demand for effective treatments, such as lactulose, rifaximin, and ammonia-lowering therapies, continues to rise. This growing patient demographic requires consistent medical attention, driving the expansion of the hepatic encephalopathy treatment market and encouraging further advancements in both diagnostics and treatment options.

Opportunities

• Growing Development of New Treatment Options

The development of new treatment options presents a significant market opportunity in the hepatic encephalopathy treatment sector. Recent advancements include the development of improved formulations of rifaximin, an antibiotic commonly used to reduce ammonia levels in patients with hepatic encephalopathy. For instance, a newer extended-release formulation of rifaximin offers enhanced patient compliance with fewer doses per day, thus improving treatment adherence and outcomes. In addition, ammonia-lowering agents such as L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) have shown promise in clinical trials for reducing symptoms and hospitalizations in patients. The combination of rifaximin with lactulose, a dual approach, has also proven to be more effective than monotherapy in some cases, offering better symptom management and reducing recurrence rates. These innovations in treatment options expand the range of available solutions, addressing the varying needs of patients with different stages and severities of hepatic encephalopathy. As these therapies gain wider approval and adoption, they drive the growth of the market, offering improved quality of life for patients and presenting a significant opportunity for pharmaceutical companies.

• Increased Government and Healthcare Investments

Increased government and healthcare investments are playing a pivotal role in expanding the hepatic encephalopathy treatment market. For instance, many governments, especially in developed regions, are allocating more resources to improve healthcare infrastructure and fund research into liver diseases. The U.S. government has, for instance, significantly increased funding for liver disease research through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which is advancing the development of innovative therapies for hepatic encephalopathy. In addition, policies such as the Affordable Care Act have made healthcare more accessible, ensuring that a broader range of patients can receive treatment for liver diseases and associated complications. Governments are also incentivizing pharmaceutical companies to invest in liver disease management by offering subsidies and grants for developing new therapies, which enhances treatment availability. As a result, these investments are driving greater adoption of advanced treatments, improving patient access, and accelerating the market’s growth, presenting a considerable opportunity for companies involved in hepatic encephalopathy therapies.

Restraints/Challenges

• High Treatment Costs

High treatment costs are a significant barrier in the hepatic encephalopathy (HE) treatment market, particularly for patients in low- and middle-income countries where access to affordable care is limited. Medications such as rifaximin, while effective in managing HE, are expensive, and the cost of long-term treatment can quickly become financially burdensome for patients. In addition to the costs of medications, patients with HE often require hospitalizations for acute episodes, which further exacerbates the financial strain. For instance, in countries with limited healthcare coverage or insurance systems, the cost of treating recurrent episodes of HE can be unaffordable for many individuals, forcing them to forgo necessary treatments or seek less effective alternatives. This financial barrier restricts access to proper care, resulting in worse health outcomes, increased hospital admissions, and a higher overall disease burden. The high cost of treatment thus limits the widespread adoption of effective therapies and contributes to the overall challenge in expanding the HE treatment market, particularly in economically disadvantaged regions.

• Complications in Treatment Adherence

Complications in treatment adherence present a significant challenge in the hepatic encephalopathy (HE) market, as managing the condition often requires long-term strategies such as dietary modifications and the consistent use of medications such as lactulose and rifaximin. For patients with advanced liver disease, adherence to these regimens can be particularly difficult, especially when cognitive impairments, a common symptom of HE, interfere with their ability to follow prescribed treatments. For instance, patients who experience confusion, forgetfulness, or disorientation may struggle to remember medication schedules, leading to suboptimal treatment and frequent hospital readmissions due to worsening symptoms. This creates a cycle of ineffective management, where non-adherence worsens the condition, increasing healthcare costs and patient suffering. In addition, the need for continuous care and regular monitoring puts added strain on healthcare systems, making it harder to manage the condition effectively. This challenge in maintaining treatment adherence ultimately limits the success of available therapies and contributes to the overall difficulty in improving long-term outcomes for HE patients, making it a key obstacle in the growth of the HE treatment market.

This market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of drug class, type, diagnosis, stages, treatment, route of administration, end users, and distribution channel. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyse meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Drug Class

• Antibiotics
• Laxatives
• L-ornithine
• L-aspartate
• Others

Type

• Acute Fulminant Viral Hepatitis
• Toxic Hepatitis
• Others

Diagnosis

• Blood Tests
• CT Scan
• Liver Functioning Tests (LFT)
• Others

Stages

• Stage 0
• Stage 1
• Stage 3
• Others

Treatment

• Medication
• Surgery
• Others

Route of Administration

• Oral
• Injectable
• Intravenous
• Rectal
• Others

End Users

• Hospitals
• Homecare
• Specialty Clinics
• Others

Distribution Channel

• Hospital Pharmacy
• Online Pharmacy
• Retail Pharmacy
• Others

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Regional Analysis

The market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by country, drug class, type, diagnosis, stages, treatment, route of administration, end users, and distribution channel as referenced above.

The countries covered in the market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America.

North America holds a dominant position in the hepatic encephalopathy treatment market, driven by the early adoption of innovative medical technologies and therapies. The region has witnessed a rising prevalence of liver diseases, such as cirrhosis and hepatitis, which has increased the demand for effective treatments. In addition, North America benefits from robust research and development capacities, supported by substantial healthcare investments and a strong presence of key pharmaceutical companies. These factors, coupled with high awareness among healthcare providers and patients about advanced treatment options, continue to solidify the region's dominance in this market.

Asia-Pacific is anticipated to achieve highest growth and register the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by several key factors. Increasing investments in healthcare infrastructure development across emerging economies such as India and China are enhancing access to advanced medical treatments. The region is also witnessing a rise in the incidence of neurological disorders and liver diseases, which has fueled the demand for effective therapeutic solutions. Furthermore, growing research and development activities focused on the treatment and management of these conditions are contributing to the expansion of the hepatic encephalopathy treatment market in Asia-Pacific.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.  

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Share

The market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to market.

Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market Leaders Operating in the Market Are:

• Mallinckrodt (U.S.)
• Lupin (India)
• Salix Pharmaceuticals (U.S.)
• Norgine (Netherlands)
• ASKA Pharmaceutical Group, Ltd. (Japan)
• Bausch Health Companies Inc. (Canada)
• Swedish Orphan Biovitrum AB (publ) (Sweden)
• Umecrine (Sweden)
• Kannalife Sciences, Inc. (U.S.)
• Ferring (Switzerland)
• Merck KGaA (Germany)
• Amgen Inc. (U.S.)
• Pfizer Inc. (U.S.)
• GSK plc (U.K.)
• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company Limited (Japan)
• Merck & Co., Inc. (U.S.)
• Janssen Global Services, LLC (U.S.)
• Eisai Co., Ltd. (Japan)
• Johnson & Johnson Services, Inc. (U.S.)
• AbbVie Inc. (U.S.)
• Hikma Pharmaceuticals PLC (U.K.)

Latest Developments in Hepatic Encephalopathy Treatment Market

• In June 2024, Ipsen announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted accelerated approval for Iqirvo (elafibranor) 80 mg tablets for treating primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). It is approved for use alongside ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in adults with an inadequate response to UDCA or as monotherapy for those unable to tolerate UDCA. Iqirvo is now available for eligible patients in the U.S.
• In April 2023, Merck and Eisai disclosed Phase 3 trial results for advanced melanoma and metastatic colorectal cancer. These trials explore the efficacy of KEYTRUDA (pembrolizumab) and LENVIMA (lenvatinib), oral multiple receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, respectively
• In March 2023, Bausch Health Companies Inc., a Canadian specialty pharmaceutical company, announced that its Rifaximin SSD (soluble solid dispersion) tablets, combined with lactulose, are in Phase III clinical trials for the treatment of overt hepatic encephalopathy
• In September 2022, GENFIT, a late-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced its acquisition of Versantis, a Swiss-based clinical-stage biotechnology company. Versantis brings a Phase 2-ready program (VS-01-ACLF) based on first-in-class scavenging liposomes technology, a pediatric program for urea cycle disorder (VS-01-UCD), and an early-stage program for hepatic encephalopathy (VS-02-HE)
• In September 2022, GENFIT also revealed that it entered into an exclusivity agreement to acquire all shares and voting rights of Versantis, aimed at addressing unmet medical needs in severe chronic liver diseases

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