NASDAQ Halts Trading in Acura Pharmaceuticals Stock Pending Outcome of FDA Advisory...

NASDAQ Halts Trading in Acura Pharmaceuticals Stock Pending Outcome of FDA
Advisory Committee Meeting

PALATINE, Ill., April 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
(Nasdaq:ACUR) announced that NASDAQ halted trading of Acura's common stock today
at 7:00 AM EDT for "news pending". The Anesthetic and Life Support Drugs and the
Drug Safety and Risk Management Advisory Committees to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration are meeting today to discuss the New Drug Application for
Acurox(R) (oxycodone HCl and niacin) Tablets.

About Acurox(R)

Acurox(R) Tablets contain a unique composition of oxycodone HCl, niacin, and
essential functional inactive ingredients, and are intended to relieve moderate
to severe pain while limiting or impeding common methods of prescription drug
abuse.

About Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a specialty pharmaceutical company engaged in
research, development and manufacture of product candidates intended to
introduce limits or impediments to abuse utilizing our proprietary Aversion(R)
Technology, Impede(TM) Technology, and other novel technologies.

The Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. logo is available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=4847

Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the "Act"). When used in this
press release, the words "estimate," "project," "anticipate," "expect,"
"intend," "believe," and similar expressions are intended to identify
forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press
release include statements concerning the Company's expectations for the
Advisory Committee meeting or the recommencement of trading in Acura's common
stock. Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc. disclaims any intent or obligation to update
these forward-looking statements, and claim the protection of the Safe Harbor
for forward-looking statements contained in the Act. Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially
different from any future results, performance, or achievements expressed or
implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that may cause
actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements are
discussed in the "Risk Factors" section and other sections of the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, which is
on file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT: Acura Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Peter A. Clemens, SVP & CFO
847-705-7709