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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001209191-08-054886.txt : 20081002
<SEC-HEADER>0001209191-08-054886.hdr.sgml : 20081002
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20081002181353
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001209191-08-054886
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20081001
FILED AS OF DATE:		20081002
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20081002

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PHARMACYCLICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000949699
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				943148201
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PHARMACYCLICS INC
		STREET 2:		995 E ARQUES AVE
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94085-4521
		BUSINESS PHONE:		408 774 0330

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PHARMACYCLICS INC
		STREET 2:		995 E ARQUES AVE
		CITY:			SUNNYVALE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94085-4521

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DUGGAN ROBERT W
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001055919

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-26658
		FILM NUMBER:		081104823

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8059623755

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1933 CLIFF DRIVE #30
		CITY:			SANTA BARBARA
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			93107
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 SUBMISSION
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-10-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000949699</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PHARMACYCLICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>PCYC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001055919</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DUGGAN ROBERT W</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1933 CLIFF DRIVE #30</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SANTA BARBARA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>93107</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1909676</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Through RWD Acquisition I LLC</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>515760</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Managed Accounts</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>5074564</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (Right to Buy Stock)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>2.13</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-10-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <deemedExecutionDate></deemedExecutionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>6689</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2008-10-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-10-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6689</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>6689</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares owned directly by RWD Acquisition LLC (&quot;RWD Acquisition&quot;).  As the sole member of RWD Acquisition, Robert W. Duggan may be deemed to beneficially own the Shares owned by RWD Acquisition.  Mr. Duggan disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares held in managed accounts pursuant to agreements with Robert W. Duggan &amp; Associates (&quot;RWD&amp;A&quot;), of which Robert W. Duggan is a principal.  Mr. Duggan disclaims beneficial ownership of such Shares except to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents grant of fully-vested option pursuant to Issuer's 2004 Equity Incentive Award Plan in lieu of payment of quarterly retainer and/or meeting fees earned for service on Issuer's Board of Directors</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Leiv Lea, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-10-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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