-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 LyupgU0iQBbVKWcOMv6Udx6kQrzBdpA1gf3PiXYyHVrTKKxasvegoXz9Pi0CQGg+
 8jjOcr/RuWFb6rijJXQdFg==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-03-011215.txt : 20031124
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-03-011215.hdr.sgml : 20031124
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20031124145232
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-03-011215
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20031117
FILED AS OF DATE:		20031124

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DEPOMED INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001005201
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				943229046
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1360 O'BRIEN DRIVE
		CITY:			MENLO PARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94025
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6504625900

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1360 O'BRIEN DRIVE
		CITY:			MENLO PARK
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94025

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STAPLE PETER D
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001271088

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-13111
		FILM NUMBER:		031020458

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		863 C MITTEN ROAD
		CITY:			BURLINGAME
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94010
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6505620751

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		863 C MITTEN ROAD
		CITY:			BURLINGAME
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94010
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<ownershipDocument>
    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>
<periodOfReport>2003-11-17</periodOfReport>
    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001005201</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DEPOMED INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>dmi</issuerTradingSymbol>
</issuer>
<reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001271088</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STAPLE PETER D</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O DEPOMED, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1360 O'BRIEN DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MENLO PARK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94025</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
            <reportingOwnerRelationship>
<isDirector>1</isDirector>
<isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
<isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
<isOther>0</isOther>
<officerTitle></officerTitle>
<otherText></otherText>
</reportingOwnerRelationship>
</reportingOwner>
<nonDerivativeTable></nonDerivativeTable>
<derivativeTable></derivativeTable>
<footnotes></footnotes>
<ownerSignature><signatureName>/s/ Peter D. Staple</signatureName>
<signatureDate>2003-11-24</signatureDate>
</ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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