<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-03-28</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000730469</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALPHARMA INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ALO</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001347194</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Watts Peter</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ALPHARMA INC.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE EXECUTIVE DRIVE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FORT LEE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NJ</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>07024</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Human Resources</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Restricted Stock Unit</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-03-28</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>3125</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2010-03-28</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2010-03-28</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock A</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>3125</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>3125</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Performance Based Restricted Stock Units subject to vesting as follows:  if the Company's cumulative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (&quot;EBITDA&quot;) during the performance period (as defined in the Award Agreement) reaches certain levels, on third anniversary of the grant date, the individual shall receive a percentage of the number of target restricted stock units, provided that such individual is employed by the Company on such date.  This vesting schedule is subject to the forfeiture and acceleration provisions in the Award Agreement.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>By: Marie Amerasinghe   For: Peter Watts</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-03-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2007-03-28
0
0000730469
ALPHARMA INC
ALO
0001347194
Watts Peter
C/O ALPHARMA INC.
ONE EXECUTIVE DRIVE
FORT LEE
NJ
07024
0
1
0
0
EVP, Human Resources
Restricted Stock Unit
0
2007-03-28
4
A
0
3125
0
A
2010-03-28
2010-03-28
Common Stock A
3125
3125
D
Performance Based Restricted Stock Units subject to vesting as follows:  if the Company's cumulative earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA") during the performance period (as defined in the Award Agreement) reaches certain levels, on third anniversary of the grant date, the individual shall receive a percentage of the number of target restricted stock units, provided that such individual is employed by the Company on such date.  This vesting schedule is subject to the forfeiture and acceleration provisions in the Award Agreement.
By: Marie Amerasinghe   For: Peter Watts
2007-03-29