<HTML><HEAD>
<TITLE>
</TITLE>
</HEAD><BODY id=38 bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><BR>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>UNITED
STATES</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>WASHINGTON,
D. C. 20549</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>____________</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>FORM
8-K</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>CURRENT
REPORT </STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Pursuant
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Securities
Exchange Act Of 1934</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>March
31, 2005</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Date of
Report (Date of earliest event reported)</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>___________________________________________________________</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 18pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>ACURA
PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Exact
Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>___________________________________________________________</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV align=center>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" bgColor=#ffffff>
  <TR bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<STRONG><FONT size=2>State of New
      York</FONT></STRONG><FONT id=TAB2
      style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<STRONG><FONT size=2>1-10113</FONT></STRONG></DIV></TD>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<STRONG><FONT
  size=2>11-0853640</FONT></STRONG></DIV></TD></TR>
  <TR bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<FONT size=2>(State of Other
    Jurisdiction</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<FONT size=2>(Commission File Number)</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<FONT size=2>(I.R.S. Employer </FONT></DIV></TD></TR>
  <TR bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<FONT size=2>of Incorporation)</FONT></DIV></TD>
    <TD width="33.33%">&nbsp;</TD>
    <TD width="33.33%">
      <DIV style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
      align=center>&nbsp;<FONT size=2> Identification
Number)</FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<DIV align=center>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>616
N. North Court, Suite 120</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Palatine,
Illinois 60067</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Address
of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>(847)
705-7709</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">(Registrant&#8217;s
telephone number, including are code)</FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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):</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">&#8250;</FONT><FONT
id=TAB2 style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
230.425)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">&#8250;</FONT><FONT
id=TAB2 style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR
240.14a-12)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">&#8250;</FONT><FONT
id=TAB2 style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
(17CFR240.14d-2(b))</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol">&#8250;</FONT><FONT
id=TAB2 style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&nbsp;</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR
240.13e-4(c))</FONT><FONT id=TAB2
style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&nbsp;</FONT></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV id=PGBRK style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=FTR>
<DIV id=GLFTR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=PN style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" face="Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<HR color=#000000 noShade SIZE=2>
</DIV></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV id=GLHDR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=right><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG></STRONG></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Item
3.02</STRONG></FONT><FONT id=TAB2 style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">
</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities.</STRONG></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 27pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On March
31, 2005, Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the &#8220;Company&#8221;) issued 200,876 shares of
its Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the &#8220;Common Stock&#8221;) to the holders
(the &#8220;Noteholders&#8221;) of a certain Secured Promissory Note (the &#8220;Note&#8221;) in the
principal amount of $5 million dated as of December 20, 2002.</FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>&nbsp;</STRONG></FONT><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
issuance of Common Stock represents an in-kind payment of accrued and unpaid
interest on the Note for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 27pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">The
Company issued the Common Stock in reliance upon the exemption from registration
provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and/or
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. At the time of
acquisition of the Note, the Noteholders represented to the Company that each of
such Noteholders was an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 and that the Note and any securities issued pursuant
thereto were being acquired for investment purposes. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 180pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 180pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV id=PGBRK style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=FTR>
<DIV id=GLFTR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=PN style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" face="Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<HR color=#000000 noShade SIZE=2>
</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=HDR>
<DIV id=GLHDR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=right><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=center><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG>SIGNATURES</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">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.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT size=2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 36pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" align=center bgColor=#ffffff
border=0>
  <TR vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD width="50%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="1%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD width="49%"><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD colSpan=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2><STRONG>ACURA
      PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</STRONG></FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Date:&nbsp;April 1, 2005</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>By:&nbsp;&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>/s/&nbsp;Peter A.
  Clemens</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD colSpan=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=1>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD align=left>
      <HR align=left width="80%" color=#000000 noShade SIZE=2>
      <FONT size=2>Peter A. Clemens</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=top bgColor=#ffffff>
    <TD colSpan=2><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>&nbsp;</FONT></TD>
    <TD><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=2>Senior Vice President &amp; Chief
      Financial Officer</FONT></TD></TR></TABLE></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><BR></DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 216pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><STRONG></STRONG></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV id=PGBRK style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
<DIV id=FTR>
<DIV id=GLFTR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=left><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=PN>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt" face="Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV>
<DIV style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
<HR color=#000000 noShade SIZE=2>
</DIV></DIV>
<DIV id=HDR>
<DIV id=GLHDR style="WIDTH: 100%" align=right><FONT
style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 8pt; COLOR: #000000; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV><BR>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV
style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt"
align=justify>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>
{"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": "05723902"}, "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
31, 2005
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 are 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
3.02
Unregistered
Sales of Equity Securities.
On March
31, 2005, Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") issued 200,876 shares of
its Common Stock, $.01 par value per share (the "Common Stock") to the holders
(the "Noteholders") of a certain Secured Promissory Note (the "Note") in the
principal amount of $5 million dated as of December 20, 2002.
The
issuance of Common Stock represents an in-kind payment of accrued and unpaid
interest on the Note for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
The
Company issued the Common Stock in reliance upon the exemption from registration
provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended and/or
Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. At the time of
acquisition of the Note, the Noteholders represented to the Company that each of
such Noteholders was an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501(a) of the
Securities Act of 1933 and that the Note and any securities issued pursuant
thereto were being acquired for investment purposes.
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.
Date: April 1, 2005
By:
/s/ Peter A.
  Clemens
Peter A. Clemens
Senior Vice President & Chief
      Financial Officer