-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 R2ZTfqOWs7g5M/lRlFm8qRzylHeDDaiiJXgyWq6wEG0v+Z5zpLA0ZmOFcPpc3EsU
 NYI5mJhPQ6MnoX801db5mw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001127602-10-012694.txt : 20100430
<SEC-HEADER>0001127602-10-012694.hdr.sgml : 20100430
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20100430195127
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001127602-10-012694
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20100429
FILED AS OF DATE:		20100430
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20100430

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			RAY RUSSELL T
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001225960

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-10269
		FILM NUMBER:		10789413

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2525 DUPONT DR
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92612

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ALLERGAN INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000850693
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				951622442
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2525 DUPONT DRIVE
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92612
		BUSINESS PHONE:		7142464500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		P.O. BOX 19534
		CITY:			IRVINE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			92713-9534
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>form4.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2010-04-29</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000850693</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALLERGAN INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>AGN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001225960</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>RAY RUSSELL T</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2525 DUPONT DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>IRVINE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>92612</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Nonemployee Director Stock Option (Right to Buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>61.98</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2010-04-29</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness></transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>11400</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>61.98</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2020-04-29</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>11400</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11400</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Option is fully vested and exercisable upon the earlier to occur (i) the first anniversary of the grant date, or (ii) the annual meeting held during such calendar year at which one or more members of the board are standing for re-election following the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Matthew J. Maletta, Attorney-in-Fact for Russell T. Ray</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2010-04-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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