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 8, 2010
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):

[ ]       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 (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[ ]       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[ ]       Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 
 
 
Item 8.01                      Other Events

On March 8, 2010, we issued a press release, attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1, announcing results of Study AP-ADF-114 titled "A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo- and Active-Controlled Study to Assess the Relative Abuse Potential of Acurox® (oxycodone HCl and niacin) Tablets in Non-Dependent Recreational Opioid Users."

Item 9.01                      Financial Statements and Exhibits

Exhibit Number                                                    Description

99.1
Press Release dated March 8, 2010.



 
 
 
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 Clemens                                                                           
Peter A. Clemens
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

Date:           March 8, 2010

 
 
 
 
EXHIBIT INDEX
 
 

 
Exhibit Number                                                    Description

99.1
Press Release dated March 8, 2010