Robitussin
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robitussin is a line of cold and cough medicines produced by Wyeth Consumer Healthcare. Robitussin has various formulations. Robitussin CF is a cold formula; Robitussin DM contains the cough suppressant; there is a nighttime relief formula and there is a formula with codeine, available by prescription only. A Sugar-Free Robitussin, introduced under the Whitehall-Robins Healthcare label, headquartered in Madison, New Jersey, went on the market for the first time in 2001. Other than the lack of sugar, the ingredients are the same as in regular Robitussin.
Robitussin was originally produced by AH Robins of Richmond, Virginia. AH Robins was purchased by American Home Products (AHP) in the late 1980s. AHP later changed its name to Wyeth. Wyeth put the manufacturing and marketing of the brand under its Whitehall-Robins Healthcare division. Robitussin products are available over the counter in many countries worldwide, including the United States, Thailand and Nicaragua. Some Robitussin formulations contain the cough suppressant dextromethorphan. An expectorant used in some Robitussion products is guaifenesin. The Whitehall-Robins manufacturing facility for Robitussin is located on Darbytown Road in Richmond, Virginia at the same location as the prior manufacturer, AH Robins.
Contents |
[edit] Recreational use
Some Robitussin medicines have been taken in high doses by recreational drug users for their dextromethorphan, which has dissociative effects (sometimes colloquially known as a "robotrip" or "boe").
[edit] In popular culture
An early reference to Robitussin being used as a recreational drug appears in the 1967 song "Hey Grandma" by Moby Grape.
Tussin, an off-brand of Robitussin, was the basis of a running gag by Chris Rock in the 1999 DVD Bigger and Blacker in reference to its use when he was growing up, so the children didn't have to go to the doctor. Robitussin is also mentioned often in the show Everybody Hates Chris.
One of the characters in Douglas Coupland's 2006 novel jPod (and the CBC television show of the same name) uses "Chugatussin" as means of getting high, referring to this as "getting 'tussed up." It appears too in Microserfs, another novel of the same author, when one of the characters is addicted to "PayLess Tussin".
Robitussin was featured on an episode of Dr. Phil that dealt with drug addiction.
Robitussin (spelled as "Robotussin" to avoid trademark issues) is referenced in the MC Chris song "The Tussin (Robotussin)". The alternate spelling also references the occasional nickname of the medicine as "Robo," or "Robo-Tripping" that's used mainly by recreational users which is the use in the song.
Clarence Mumford, the protagonist of Bill Hicks' & Kevin Booth's Ninja Bachelor Party is a recovering Robitussin addict.
The Song "The Swish" by The Hold Steady contains the lyrics "...people call me Robo..." which Craig Finn, the lyricist, confirmed was a reference to recreational use of Robitussin.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- Robitussin
- Bigger and Blacker quotes
- Robitussin High information site, from The Partnership for a Drug-Free America
- Recreational Dextromethorphan FAQ
 |
This medical treatment article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
