X0306 4 2016-01-04 0 0000786947 ACURA PHARMACEUTICALS, INC ACUR 0001213308 THANGARAJ IMMANUEL 335 BRYANT STREET PALO ALTO CA 94301 1 0 0 0 Common Stock 2016-01-04 4 M 0 6185 A 10596 D Restricted Stock Units 2016-01-04 4 D 0 4124 2.50 D Common Stock 4124 6185 D Restricted Stock Units 2016-01-04 4 M 0 6185 D Common Stock 6185 0 D Restricted Stock Units 2016-01-04 4 A 0 22026 A Common Stock 22026 22026 D Represents exchange of restricted stock units. Par value of $.01 must be paid by Reporting Person (or withheld from cash distributions) upon exchange of Restricted Stock Units for cash or stock Does not include Restricted Stock Units. Reflects 1 for 5 Reverse Stock Split effective August 27, 2015. 25% of Restricted Stock Units vested on March 31, 2015, 25% vested on June 30, 2015; 25% vested on September 30, 2015 and 25% vested on December 31, 2015. Reporting Person elected to exchange 40% (4,124) of Restricted Stock Units for cash (less par value of $.01 per share). Remaining Restricted Stock Units are being exchanged on a one for one basis for common stock, in each case upon payment of, or deduction of par value. Represents closing price of Issuer's common stock on December 31, 2015. 25% of Restricted Stock Units vest on the last day of each of March, June, September and December 2016. Reporting Person may elect to exchange up to 40% of Restricted Stock Units for cash and the remaining Restricted Stock Units will be exchanged on a one for one basis for common stock, in each case upon payment of, or deduction of par value. Distributions in respect of vested Restricted Stock Units will be made on the first business day of January 2017. N/A /s/ Immanuel Thangaraj 2016-01-06