-----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,
 Rb+XdbbUWEuJj3xT3q401Ja/wATqFNMPBGNURz7BuQdFD25H2XiC+fjbe94ZCkJV
 Kj+uFFt7DLvJjTdhn6ljMw==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001179110-04-015696.txt : 20040802
<SEC-HEADER>0001179110-04-015696.hdr.sgml : 20040802
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20040802162255
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001179110-04-015696
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20020618
FILED AS OF DATE:		20040802

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CIMA LABS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000833298
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				411569769
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10000 VALLEY VIEW ROAD
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344-9361
		BUSINESS PHONE:		9529478700

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		10000 VALLEY VIEW ROAD
		CITY:			EDEN PRAIRIE
		STATE:			MN
		ZIP:			55344-9361

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			CHAPPELL JOHN F
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001053880

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-24424
		FILM NUMBER:		04945266

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8540 COLONNADE CENTER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 501
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27615
		BUSINESS PHONE:		919-862-1000

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		8540 COLONNADE CENTER DRIVE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 501
		CITY:			RALEIGH
		STATE:			NC
		ZIP:			27615
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>edgar.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 4 -
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2002-06-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000833298</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>CIMA LABS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>CIMA</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001053880</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CHAPPELL JOHN F</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>820 NEWTON ROAD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>VILLANOVA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19085</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>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>27</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2002-06-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2012-06-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>7500</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">These securities were included in the beneficial ownership disclosure set forth in the Issuer's most recent proxy statement, but were not previously reported on a Form 4 or Form 5.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The options vest in four equal annual installments with the first 25% vesting on June 18, 2003.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Not applicable.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John F. Chappell</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-08-02</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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