Aspergum

Aspergum is the United States trademark name for an analgesic chewing gum, whose active ingredient is aspirin. Aspergum is owned by Retrobrands USA LLC.

Aspergum contained 227 mg (3½ grains) of aspirin, and was available in cherry and orange flavors.[1] This product was generally used for the analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-pyretic properties of its active ingredient. The Aspergum trademark is currently owned by Insight Pharmaceuticals,[2] the same company that produces the aspirin- and caffeine-based Anacin.

History

Medicated chewing gum containing aspirin was first sold in the United States in 1924.[3] In December 1927, Frank M. Dillard and William C. Nalle formed the Dillard-Nalle company and sought U.S. trademark protection for Aspergum.[4] Dillard-Nalle then began selling their Dellard's Aspergum in the United States in 1928.[5][6] it was an early example of a functional gum – chewing gum as a drug delivery system.

It was significant in the recognition of aspirin's antithrombotic effect, when general practitioner Lawrence Craven reported in 1953 that patients who chewed Aspergum as an analgesic after tonsillectomy tended to bleed more easily.[7][8] As a result of Dr. Craven's discovery through Aspergum in the 1950s, physicians themselves now often take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attacks and strokes, and emergency rooms routinely give aspirin to patients who they suspect may be experiencing a heart attack.[9]

In June 1993, Farmades spa of Rome, Italy began manufacturing Aspergum Confetti Gommosi Masticabili for sale in Italy.[10]

People have adopted their own uses for the gum. For example, in her 1997 book Streisand, Academy Award-winning American singer Barbra Streisand relates a story of how she filled in the gap caused by the removal of two front teeth with Aspergum when she began her career.[11]

In 1998, Gumtech announced that it was to produce Aspergum for Schering-Plough HealthCare Products.[12]

Aspergum was discontinued in 2006. As of January 2016, Retrobrands USA LLC has obtained the trademark and plans to re-launch the brand.

See also

References
  1. Aspirin Archived 14 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine, online reference, Complementary Medicine, University of Maryland Medical Center
  2. U.S. Trademark Notice-Acceptance-Renewal dated January 16, 2006
  3. Washington, Neena et al. (21 December 2000) Physiological Pharmaceutics: Barriers to Drug Absorption. Page 49. Publisher: CRC. ISBN 0-7484-0562-3
  4. United States Trademark No. 240,417.
  5. Advertisement, Appleton Post Crescent, Wisconsin, 15 October 1930
  6. Sohn, Emily. (19 February 2007), "Chew on this: It's for your health Suppress appetite, boost memory, fight disease. Gums could do it all – thanks to the cheeks", Los Angeles Times, Section: Health; Page 1.
  7. Aspirin resistance, text MIM 608223, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man
  8. Aspirin and Coronary Thrombosis Archived 11 July 2007 at the Wayback Machine, Aspirin Foundation
  9. Graedon, Joe; Graedon, Teresa. (12 August 1997) The Baltimore Sun. Take two aspirin and sing "Happy Birthday." Section: Features; Page 4E.
  10. Farmaci Generici. – Il Miglior Prezzo – Acido Acetilasalicilico. Archived 2 August 2007 at the Wayback Machine Obtained 16 July 2007.
  11. Wiegand, David. (27 April 1997) San Francisco Chronicle. "Making sense of Streisand – How seeking her mother's approval and losing her father shaped her career." Section: Sunday Review; page 4.
  12. Owens, Lamar (14 April 1998). "Gumtech to Produce Aspergum and Chooz for Schering-Plough HealthCare Products" (Press release). Business Wire – via The Free Library.
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