<?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>0001332081</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>AIGNER STEFAN</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 Corporate Development</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: Stefan Aigner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-03-29</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
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X0202
4
2007-03-28
0
0000730469
ALPHARMA INC
ALO
0001332081
AIGNER STEFAN
C/O ALPHARMA INC.
ONE EXECUTIVE DRIVE
FORT LEE
NJ
07024
0
1
0
0
EVP Corporate Development
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: Stefan Aigner
2007-03-29