-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 S6X2b+NxKYgIS47AAKbh403xlPezxKSDD4+R/GAY5pnwuFRcLAK0BIxxTUbj9TSz
 u1q4+YCfxTgFLYtggG1A4g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-10-011016.txt : 20100222
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-10-011016.hdr.sgml : 20100222
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100222174823
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-10-011016
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100209
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100222
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100222

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Irace Gregory
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001483331

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-05905
		FILM NUMBER:		10623768

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S.
		STREET 2:		55 CORPORATE DRIVE
		CITY:			BRIDGEWATER
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08807

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHATTEM INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000019520
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				620156300
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			TN
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1130

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1715 W 38TH ST
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37409
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4238214571

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1715 W 38TH ST
		CITY:			CHATTANOOGA
		STATE:			TN
		ZIP:			37409

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CHATTEM DRUG & CHEMICAL CO
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19790111
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd266974.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0203</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-02-09</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000019520</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CHATTEM INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CHTT</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001483331</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Irace Gregory</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>55 CORPORATE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BRIDGEWATER</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>08807</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <remarks>No securities are beneficially owned.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Gregory Irace</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-02-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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