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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt"><B>UNITED
STATES</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt"><B>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt"><B>WASHINGTON,
D. C. 20549</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center">&nbsp;<B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><FONT STYLE="font-size: 12pt"><B>FORM 8-K</B></FONT></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>CURRENT REPORT </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>Securities Exchange Act Of 1934</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>November 6, 2012 </B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 18pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">State of New York</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>1-10113</B></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 33%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">11-0853640</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(State of Other Jurisdiction</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(Commission File Number)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">(I.R.S. Employer</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">of Incorporation)</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: center">Identification Number)</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>616 N. North Court, Suite 120</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center; text-indent: 0.5in"><B>Palatine, Illinois
60067</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>(847) 705-7709</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">(Registrant&rsquo;s telephone number, including
area code)</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):</P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</FONT></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14a-12)</FONT></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR240.14d-2(b))</FONT></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.5in; text-align: left"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD><FONT STYLE="font-family: Times New Roman, Times, Serif">Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))</FONT></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1in; text-align: left"><B>Item&nbsp;2.02</B></TD><TD><B>Results of Operations and Financial Condition</B></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-indent: 0.5in">On November 6, 2012 we issued a press release
disclosing the financial results for our third quarter ended September 30, 2012. A copy of our press release is being furnished
as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in">&nbsp;</P>

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<TD STYLE="width: 0in"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 1in; text-align: left"><B>Item&nbsp;9.01</B></TD><TD><B>Financial Statements and Exhibits</B></TD>
</TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify"><B>&nbsp;</B></P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="width: 15%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">Exhibit Number</TD>
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="width: 2%; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="width: 83%; border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">Description</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>99.1</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Press Release dated November 6, 2012 announcing financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 2.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -2.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0 0pt 2.5in; text-indent: -2.5in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B>SIGNATURES</B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in">Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 50%; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 5%; text-align: justify">By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 45%; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">/s/ Peter A. Clemens</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Peter A. Clemens</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Senior Vice President &amp; Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">Date:&#9;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;November 6, 2012</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center"><B><U>Exhibit Index</U></B></P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0; text-align: center">&nbsp;&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; width: 15%">Exhibit Number</TD>
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; width: 2%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="border-bottom: windowtext 1pt solid; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify; width: 83%">Description</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>99.1</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Press Release dated November 6, 2012 announcing financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0pt 0">&nbsp;</P>

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{"company-data": {"conformed-name": "ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC", "cik": "0000786947", "assigned-sic": "2834", "irs-number": "110853640", "state-of-incorporation": "NY", "fiscal-year-end": "1231"}, "filing-values": {"form-type": "8-K", "act": "34", "file-number": "001-10113", "film-number": "121183477"}, "business-address": {"street1": "616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120", "city": "PALATINE", "state": "IL", "zip": "60067", "phone": "847-705-7709"}, "mail-address": {"street1": "616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120", "street2": ".", "city": "PALATINE", "state": "IL", "zip": "60067"}, "former-company": {"former-conformed-name": "HALSEY DRUG CO INC/NEW", "date-changed": "19920703"}}
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act Of 1934
November 6, 2012
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in
Charter)
State of New York
1-10113
11-0853640
(State of Other Jurisdiction
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer
of Incorporation)
Identification Number)
616 N. North Court, Suite 120
Palatine, Illinois
60067
(Address of principal executive offices)
(Zip Code)
(847) 705-7709
(Registrant's telephone number, including
area code)
Check the appropriate box below if the
Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions
(see General Instruction A.2. below):
¨
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
¨
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14a-12)
¨
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR240.14d-2(b))
¨
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 2.02
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
On November 6, 2012 we issued a press release
disclosing the financial results for our third quarter ended September 30, 2012. A copy of our press release is being furnished
as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
Item 9.01
Financial Statements and Exhibits
Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated November 6, 2012 announcing financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
By:
/s/ Peter A. Clemens
Peter A. Clemens
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
Date:	   November 6, 2012
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated November 6, 2012 announcing financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012