1



                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                         CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-34828) and related
Prospectus of CIMA LABS INC. for the registration of 1,100,000 shares of its
common stock and to the incorporation by reference therein of our report dated
February 11, 2000, except for Note 9 as to which the date is March 17, 2000,
with respect to the financial statements and schedule of CIMA LABS INC. included
in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission.



                              /s/ Ernst & Young LLP



Minneapolis, Minnesota
June 9, 2000