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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000815838-04-000011.txt : 20040204
<SEC-HEADER>0000815838-04-000011.hdr.sgml : 20040204
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040204140658
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000815838-04-000011
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20040202
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040204

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			STRAUSS ROBERT C
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001224100

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-17254
		FILM NUMBER:		04566099

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O NOVEN PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		STREET 2:		11960 SW 144TH STREET
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33186
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3052535099

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NOVEN PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000815838
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				592767632
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11960 SW 144TH ST
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33186
		BUSINESS PHONE:		3052535099

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		11960 SW 144TH STREET
		CITY:			MIAMI
		STATE:			FL
		ZIP:			33185
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0201</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

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

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000815838</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>NOVEN PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>NOVN</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001224100</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>STRAUSS ROBERT C</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O NOVEN PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>11960 S.W. 144TH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MIAMI</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>FL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>33186</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, CEO &amp; Chairman</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
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            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
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            <transactionCoding>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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            <securityTitle>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>91084</value>
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                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
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        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock ($.0001 par value)</value>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-02</value>
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                <transactionPricePerShare>
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                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
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            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-02-04</value>
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            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>M</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
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            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>20500</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
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                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
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            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
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            <expirationDate>
                <value>2004-12-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock ($.0001 par value)</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>20500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>115177</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This transaction was effected pursuant to a Rule 10b5-1 trading plan adopted by the reporting person on November 19, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">10% exercisable after 12/12/1998; 20% exercisable after 12/12/1999; 20% exercisable after 12/12/2000; 25% exercisable after 12/12/2001; and 25% exercisable after 12/12/2002</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks></remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Robert C. Strauss</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-02-04</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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