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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,
 V8U2CZUfb0gaI4mpBe+uJNOvBIMGe3uoPZ7cuNoL0mBE1Zb3u9htoCmtexjFeTNO
 mezIFMhrmHRcdT/HXH3cWA==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001255442-05-000023.txt : 20050201
<SEC-HEADER>0001255442-05-000023.hdr.sgml : 20050201
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050201144715
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001255442-05-000023
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050131
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050201
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050201

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			NICKEL JAMES R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001271350

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-23490
		FILM NUMBER:		05565407

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1172 CASTRO STREET
		CITY:			MOUNTAIN VIEW
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94040

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			VIVUS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000881524
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SURGICAL & MEDICAL INSTRUMENTS & APPARATUS [3841]
		IRS NUMBER:				943136179
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			CA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1172 CASTRO ST
		STREET 2:		STE 200
		CITY:			MOUNTAIN VIEW
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94040
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6509345265

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		1172 CASTRO STREET
		CITY:			MOUNTAIN VIEW
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94040
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-01-31</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>1</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000881524</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>VIVUS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>vvus</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001271350</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>NICKEL JAMES R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>VIVUS, INC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1172 CASTRO STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>MOUNTAIN VIEW</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>94040</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>VP, Clinical Medicine</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Linda Derboghosian</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-02-01</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

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