The Upside-Down Muscle Relaxant Market... Dong-A's 'Scapula' Expected to Expand Market Share

The market is shaking up as 'acetaminophen'-based over-the-counter muscle relaxants, which had dominated the market, are being phased out due to efficacy issues. Products recognized for their efficacy overseas, such as those containing the combination of 'chlorzoxazone and ethenzamide,' are emerging as alternative options, drawing attention to future developments.

According to industry sources on the 25th, until last year, 'acetaminophen-chlorzoxazone' combination muscle relaxant products, which held over 80% market share in the muscle relaxant market, have mostly disappeared from the market through voluntary withdrawal. These ingredients, commonly called 'damyak,' have been used when muscles are stiff or when muscle spasms occur.

However, problems arose during the 'drug product renewal' system, which requires renewing the approval of drug products every five years. To renew, 'efficacy verification data' must be submitted, showing that the ingredient is used in major overseas countries or that efficacy has been confirmed through clinical trials. Since these drugs failed to submit such verification data, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced that it could not renew approval for these products, leading to their disappearance from the market.

With the disappearance of the dominant products, drugs with new mechanisms are gaining attention. One such product is Dong-A Pharmaceutical's 'Scapula' tablets, which combine the existing chlorzoxazone with the ingredient ethenzamide. Among the main ingredients, chlorzoxazone acts on nerve cells to block stimuli, thereby relaxing muscles, and it is combined with ethenzamide, an anti-inflammatory analgesic ingredient.

The name 'Scapula' was created to mean 'shoulder.' It was named based on the observation that modern people often complain of shoulder stiffness caused by rigid posture. According to IQVIA, a pharmaceutical market research firm, since September last year, it has rapidly increased its market share, ranking first in the same combination ingredient market.

An industry official said, "In the combination drug market centered on acetaminophen, which represented muscle relaxants, new combination prescription products are emerging as alternatives," adding, "As the number of musculoskeletal disorder patients increases due to prolonged smartphone and PC use, this market is expected to continue growing."