-----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,
 R7bdZWPWLQQI8rLWDsrs4T32OJZFDLnJtS9jDF2R8xcSR0tu10ex29beBYty6CuL
 9E5IGims5f5kCzQQvj+FrQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000721371-04-000127.txt : 20040825
<SEC-HEADER>0000721371-04-000127.hdr.sgml : 20040825
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040825163628
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000721371-04-000127
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040802
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040825
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20040825

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FORD BRENDAN A
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001236444

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-11373
		FILM NUMBER:		04996793

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O CARDINAL HEALTH INC
		STREET 2:		7000 CARDINAL PLACE
		CITY:			DUBLIN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43235

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CARDINAL HEALTH INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000721371
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	WHOLESALE-DRUGS PROPRIETARIES & DRUGGISTS' SUNDRIES [5122]
		IRS NUMBER:				310958666
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			OH
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0630

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7000 CARDINAL PLACE
		CITY:			DUBLIN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43017
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6147573033

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		7000 CARDINAL PLACE
		CITY:			DUBLIN
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43017

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	CARDINAL DISTRIBUTION INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-08-02</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000721371</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CARDINAL HEALTH INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CAH</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001236444</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FORD BRENDAN A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>7000 CARDINAL PLACE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DUBLIN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43017</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP - Corp. Development</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-02</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>40</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>43.768</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>59995</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12980</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By 401(k) Plan</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Shares</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2383</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>By ESPP</value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1998-03-06</value>
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            <expirationDate>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        <derivativeHolding>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>1999-03-04</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2006-03-04</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
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        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>27.053</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-03-03</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-03-03</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>10350</value>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                    <value></value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>27.693</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2000-08-24</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-08-24</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>22500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>36.307</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-03-02</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-03-02</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>9255</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>43.14</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2001-08-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2008-08-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7875</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>47.333</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-03-01</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-03-01</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>23616</value>
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            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
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                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>31.167</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2002-11-15</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2009-11-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>45722</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
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            <ownershipNature>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>66.083</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
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            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
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            <expirationDate>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
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        <derivativeHolding>
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                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
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                <value>67.90</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2005-11-18</value>
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                <value>2012-11-18</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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                <value>67.90</value>
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                <value>2005-11-18</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-02-18</value>
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            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
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                <underlyingSecurityShares>
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                    <value>1</value>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>61.38</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2006-11-17</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2013-11-17</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>57021</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
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                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
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        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Option (right to buy)</value>
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            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>44.15</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-08-23</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>1</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-08-23</value>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2014-08-23</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Shares</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>68000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
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            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Stock option granted pursuant to the Cardinal Health, Inc. Stock Incentive Plan.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Stock option granted pursuant to the Cardinal Health, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Brendan A. Ford</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-24</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
-----END PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----