<html>
  <head>
    <title>
      Unassociated Document
</title><!-- Licensed to: vf-->
<!-- Document Created using EDGARIZER HTML 3.0.0.26435 -->
<!-- Copyright 2005 EDGARfilings, Ltd., an IEC company.-->
<!-- All rights reserved EDGARfilings.com -->
</head>
  <body bgcolor="#ffffff">
    <div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</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: 12pt; 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>October
        17, 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">&#160;</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: 14pt; 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"><br></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
        <div align="center">
          <table bgcolor="#ffffff" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

              <tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
                <td width="30%">
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><strong><font size="2">State
                    of New
                    York</font></strong></div>
                </td>
                <td width="2%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="30%">
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><strong><font size="2">1-10113</font></strong></div>
                </td>
                <td width="2%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="30%">
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><strong><font size="2">11-0853640</font></strong></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
                <td width="30%">
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font size="2">(State
                    of Other Jurisdiction of
                    Incorporation)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td width="2%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="30%">
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font size="2">(Commission
                    File Number)</font></div>
                </td>
                <td width="2%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="30%">
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="center"><font size="2">(I.R.S.
                    Employer Identification
                    Number)</font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>
              <tr bgcolor="#ffffff">
                <td width="30%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="2%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="30%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="2%">&#160;</td>
                <td width="30%">&#160;</td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
      </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="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 area 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="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"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</font>&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</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"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</font>&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</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"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</font>&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</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"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-FAMILY: Wingdings">o</font>&#8250;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</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-</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">4(c))</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font></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">&#160;</div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="HDR"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Item
          8.01</strong></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 63pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Other
          Events</strong></font></div>
      </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 id="TAB1" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 36pt"></font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">On
        October 17, 2005, Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press
        release announcing the Company&#8217;s receipt from the U.S. Food and Drug
        Administration (&#8220;FDA&#8221;) of communications clarifying previous FDA correspondence
        relating to the development of Product Candidate #2 announced on October
        3,
        2005. The FDA&#8217;s most recent communication provides assurance that the Company
        may promptly resume planned clinical studies of Product Candidate #2 without
        conducting additional pre-clinical testing. A copy of the Company&#8217;s Press
        Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.</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: Times New Roman"><strong>Item
        9.01</strong></font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 63pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>Financial
        Statements and Exhibits.</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: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
      <div>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">
              <td style="WIDTH: 180pt">
                <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"><strong>Exhibit</strong></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"><strong><u>Number</u></strong></font>&#160;</div>
              </td>
              <td valign="bottom"><strong><u><font size="2">Description</font></u></strong></td>
            </tr>

        </table>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">
              <td style="WIDTH: 180pt">&#160;</td>
              <td>&#160;</td>
            </tr>

        </table>
        <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">
              <td style="WIDTH: 180pt">
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1</font></div>
              </td>
              <td>
                <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press
                  Release dated October 17, 2005 Announcing Receipt of clarifying
                  FDA
                  Communication. </font></div>
              </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><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">&#160;</div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
      </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="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">&#160;</div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
        <table align="center" bgcolor="#ffffff" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">

            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td width="50%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="1%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td width="49%"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td colspan="2"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman"><strong>ACURA
                PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</strong></font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;<br>&#160;</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td>&#160;</td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">By:&#160;&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">/s/&#160;Peter
                A. Clemens</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td colspan="2"><font style="FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman" size="1">&#160;</font></td>
              <td align="left">
                <hr style="COLOR: #000000" align="left" noshade size="2" width="80%"><font size="2">Peter
                A. Clemens</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td colspan="2"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">&#160;</font></td>
              <td><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Vice
                President &amp; Chief Financial Officer</font></td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td colspan="2">&#160;</td>
              <td>&#160;</td>
            </tr>
            <tr valign="top" bgcolor="#ffffff">
              <td colspan="2"><font size="2">Date:</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">October
                17, 2005</font></td>
              <td>&#160;</td>
            </tr>

        </table><br></div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">&#160;</div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
          </div>
        </div>
      </div><br><br>
      <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><u>EXHIBIT
        INDEX</u></strong></font></div>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font><font id="TAB2" style="COLOR: black; LETTER-SPACING: 27pt">&#160;</font></div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br></div>
        <div>
          <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

              <tr valign="top" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">
                <td style="WIDTH: 180pt">
                  <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"><strong>Exhibit</strong></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"><strong><u>Number</u></strong></font>&#160;</div>
                </td>
                <td valign="bottom"><strong><u><font size="2">Description</font></u></strong></td>
              </tr>

          </table>
          <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

              <tr valign="top" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">
                <td style="WIDTH: 180pt">&#160;</td>
                <td>&#160;</td>
              </tr>

          </table>
          <table align="center" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" id="hangingindent" width="100%">

              <tr valign="top" style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25">
                <td style="WIDTH: 180pt">
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">99.1</font></div>
                </td>
                <td>
                  <div style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><font style="DISPLAY: inline; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Times New Roman">Press
                    Release dated October 17, 2005 Announcing Receipt of clarifying
                    FDA
                    Communication. </font></div>
                </td>
              </tr>

          </table>
        </div>
        <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify"><br><br>&#160;</div>
      </div>
      <div id="PGBRK" style="MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt">
        <div id="FTR">
          <div id="GLFTR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">&#160;</div>
        </div>
        <div id="PN" style="PAGE-BREAK-AFTER: always">
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%; TEXT-ALIGN: center">
            <hr style="COLOR: black" noshade size="2">
          </div>
        </div>
        <div id="HDR">
          <div id="GLHDR" style="WIDTH: 100%" align="right">&#160;</div>
          <div style="WIDTH: 100%" align="left">
            <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="right">&#160;</div>
          </div>
        </div>
      </div><br>
      <div style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN-LEFT: 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0pt; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.25; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0pt" align="justify">&#160;</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": "051142714"}, "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"}}
Unassociated Document
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
October
        17, 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 of
                    Incorporation)
(Commission
                    File Number)
(I.R.S.
                    Employer 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):
o
›
Written
        communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR
        230.425)
o
›
Soliciting
        material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17CFR
        240.14a-12)
o
›
Pre-commencement
        communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act
        (17CFR240.14d-2(b))
o
›
Pre-commencement
        communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR
        240.13e-
4(c))
Item
          8.01
Other
          Events
On
        October 17, 2005, Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (the "Company") issued a press
        release announcing the Company's receipt from the U.S. Food and Drug
        Administration ("FDA") of communications clarifying previous FDA correspondence
        relating to the development of Product Candidate #2 announced on October
        3,
        2005. The FDA's most recent communication provides assurance that the Company
        may promptly resume planned clinical studies of Product Candidate #2 without
        conducting additional pre-clinical testing. A copy of the Company's Press
        Release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Item
        9.01
Financial
        Statements and Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press
                  Release dated October 17, 2005 Announcing Receipt of clarifying
                  FDA
                  Communication.
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
Vice
                President & Chief Financial Officer
Date:
October
                17, 2005
EXHIBIT
        INDEX
Exhibit
Number
Description
99.1
Press
                    Release dated October 17, 2005 Announcing Receipt of clarifying
                    FDA
                    Communication.