-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 WzDSskYnXuWY52auGhGXqAfWF/GXkOcToQIY/Al3k+WRh7hX1+AGulLyqbpqfDLh
 8uThFwe9PdvFUaiS6KpVeQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-11-006322.txt : 20110201
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-11-006322.hdr.sgml : 20110201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20110201163350
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-11-006322
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20110128
FILED AS OF DATE:		20110201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20110201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Johnson Charles A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001500743

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-31577
		FILM NUMBER:		11563527

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O INSPIRE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
		STREET 2:		4222 EMPEROR BLVD., SUITE 200
		CITY:			DURHAM
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27703

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INSPIRE PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001040416
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				043209022
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4222 EMPEROR BLVD STE 200
		CITY:			DURHAM
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27703-8466
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9199419777

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		4222 EMPEROR BLVD
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			DURHAM
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27703-8466
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd299126.xml
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2011-01-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001040416</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INSPIRE PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ISPH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001500743</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Johnson Charles A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O INSPIRE PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>8081 ARCO CORPORATE DRIVE, SUITE 400</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>RALEIGH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NC</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>27617</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP of R&amp;D &amp; Chief Med. Ofcr.</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Units</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2011-01-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>27524</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>27524</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27524</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Each Restricted Stock Unit represents a contingent right to receive one share of the common stock of Inspire Pharmaceuticals, Inc.  The shares will be delivered following the end of the scheduled vesting date or 60 days following an earlier vesting date that occurs as a result of the grantee's separation from service.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Shall vest as follows:  25% on June 1, 2012; 25% on June 1, 2013; 25% on June 1, 2014 and 25% on June 1, 2015.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/  Edward P. Bromley, Attorney-in-fact</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2011-02-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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