-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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 xfA9glvP/FwmjO1koPPxyA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-019200.txt : 20041004
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-019200.hdr.sgml : 20041004
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20041004121552
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-019200
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040813
FILED AS OF DATE:		20041004
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20041004

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ESSEX WOODLANDS HEALTH VENTURES FUND V LP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001120812
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10113
		FILM NUMBER:		041061065

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		190 SOUTH LASALLE STREET
		STREET 2:		SUITE 2800
		CITY:			CHICAGO
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60603

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10001 WOODLOCH FOREST DRIVE STE.175
		CITY:			WOODLANDS
		STATE:			TX
		ZIP:			77380

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000786947
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				110853640
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			NY
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120
		CITY:			PALATINE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60067
		BUSINESS PHONE:		847-705-7709

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		616 N. NORTH COURT, SUITE 120
		STREET 2:		.
		CITY:			PALATINE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60067

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	HALSEY DRUG CO INC/NEW
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-13</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000786947</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ACUR.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001120812</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ESSEX WOODLANDS HEALTH VENTURES FUND V LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10001 WOODLOCH FOREST DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SUITE 175</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>THE WOODLANDS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>TX</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>77380</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText></otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>114477</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series A Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-08-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>33909751</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series B Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-08-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>6756207</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series C-3 Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2004-08-13</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>15593247</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Purchase Warrant</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>.34</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2003-05-08</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-05-08</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>345000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Shares of the issuer's Preferred Stock are convertible into shares of the issuer's Common Stock for as long as such shares are outstanding.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shares of the issuer's Series A Preferred Stock currently are convertible into shares of the issuer's Common Stock on a 5-for-1 basis.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Shares of the issuer's Series B Preferred Stock and Series C-3 Preferred Stock currently are convertible into shares of the issuer's Common Stock on a 1-for-1 basis.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Immanuel Thangaraj, Managing Director of Essex Woodlands Health Ventures Fund V, L.L.C., as general partner of the Reporting Person</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-10-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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