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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>March 5, 2012 </B></P>

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

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

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

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

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: center"><B>&nbsp;</B></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="width: 34%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center">State of New York</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 32%; font-weight: bold; text-align: center"><B>1-10113</B></TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 34%; 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: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 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>

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

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.14a-12)</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17CFR240.14d-2(b))</TD></TR></TABLE>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 0.25in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -0.25in">&nbsp;</P>

<TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" WIDTH="100%" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin-top: 0; margin-bottom: 0"><TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
<TD STYLE="width: 0"></TD><TD STYLE="width: 0.25in"><FONT STYLE="font-family: Wingdings">&uml;</FONT></TD><TD STYLE="text-align: justify">Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))</TD></TR></TABLE>

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

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in"><B>Item 2.02&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Results
of Operations and Financial Condition</B></P>

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

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-indent: 0.5in">On March 5, 2012 we issued a press release disclosing
the financial results for our fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 and our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. 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: 0 0 0 1in; text-align: justify; text-indent: -1in">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify"><B>Item 9.01&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Financial Statements and Exhibits</B></P>

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

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD NOWRAP STYLE="width: 14%; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid">Exhibit&nbsp;Number</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 11%; font-weight: bold">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; width: 75%"><B>Description&nbsp;</B></TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>99.1</TD>
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Press Release dated March 5, 2012 announcing financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 2.5in; text-indent: -2.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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    <DIV STYLE="page-break-before: always; margin-top: 6pt; margin-bottom: 12pt"><TABLE CELLPADDING="0" CELLSPACING="0" STYLE="width: 100%; font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif"><TR><TD STYLE="text-align: center; width: 100%">&nbsp;</TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 2.5in; text-indent: -2.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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

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

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

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" ALIGN="RIGHT" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 50%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD COLSPAN="2" STYLE="font-weight: bold">ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD STYLE="width: 3%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 47%">&nbsp;</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>By:</TD>
    <TD STYLE="text-decoration: none; border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; padding-left: 18pt">/s/ Peter A. Clemens</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Peter A. Clemens</TD></TR>
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: top">
    <TD>&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD>Senior Vice President &amp; Chief Financial Officer</TD></TR>
</TABLE><BR STYLE="clear: both">
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</P>

<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0; text-align: justify">Date:&#9;March 5, 2012</P>

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

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

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

<TABLE CELLSPACING="0" CELLPADDING="0" STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse">
<TR STYLE="vertical-align: bottom">
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; width: 14%">Exhibit&nbsp;Number</TD>
    <TD STYLE="width: 11%; font-weight: bold; text-align: justify">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD STYLE="border-bottom: Black 1pt solid; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; width: 75%"><B>Description&nbsp;</B></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 March 5, 2012 announcing financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011</TD></TR>
</TABLE>
<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 2.5in; text-indent: -2.5in">&nbsp;</P>

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<P STYLE="font: 10pt Times New Roman, Times, Serif; margin: 0 0 0 2.5in; text-indent: -2.5in">&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": "12666931"}, "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
March 5, 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 March 5, 2012 we issued a press release disclosing
the financial results for our fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 and our fiscal year ended December 31, 2011. 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 March 5, 2012 announcing financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011
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:	March 5, 2012
Exhibit Index
Exhibit Number
Description
99.1
Press Release dated March 5, 2012 announcing financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2011and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011