George Carlin in rehab

US comedian George Carlin is checking into a drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre in Los Angeles to counter the effects of "too much wine and Vicodin".

The 67-year-old acid-witted funnyman said he was detoxing because of his use of alcohol and the addictive painkiller Vicodin.

"No one told me I needed this, I recognised the problem and took the step myself," he said.

Carlin said he would not immediately return to his entertaining schedule after rehab as he would need "a little time for myself".