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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-04-13</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000891288</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>QUESTCOR PHARMACEUTICALS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>QSC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001170881</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SIGMA TAU INTERNATIONAL SA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>18 AVENUE DE LA PORTE NEUVE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LUXEMBOURG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>N4</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>L-2227</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>LUXEMBOURG</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001092601</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>SIGMA TAU FINANZIARIA SPA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>VIA SUDAFRICA 20</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>00144</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROME ITALY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001168857</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DEFIANTE FARMACEUTICA LDA</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>RUA DOS FERREIROS,260</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>FUNCHAL MADEIRA</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>S1</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>9000-082</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>PORTUGAL</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001232942</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>APTAFIN S P A</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>VIALE SHAKESPEARE 47</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROME</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>L6</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>00144</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ITALY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001164803</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAVAZZA CLAUDIO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>VIA SUDAFRICA 20</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>ROME ITALY</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>L6</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>00000</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>ITALY</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001163608</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>CAVAZZA PAOLO</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>VIA TESSERETE, 10</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LUGANO</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>V8</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>V8</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>SWITZERLAND</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>8643397</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1756781</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Shares directly held by Claudio Cavazza.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1756782</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Shares directly held by Paolo Cavazza.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>759493</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Shares directly held by Defiante Farmaceutica L.d.A.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>549100</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Shares directly held by Aptafin S.p.A.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>1265822</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Shares underlying the 8% Convertible Debenture held by Defiante Farmaceutica L.d.A.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeHolding>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2005-04-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.65</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>100000</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>Shares directly held by Chaumiere - Consultadoria &amp; Servicos SDC Unipessoal LDA.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>8% Convertible Debenture</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>1.58</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2005-04-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock, no par value per share</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>1265822</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2000000</value>
                </valueOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>I</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value>The 8% Convertible Debenture is directly held by Defiante Farmaceutica L.d.A.</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Sigma-Tau Finanziaria S.p.A. owns 100% of the capital stock of Sigma-Tau International S.A. (f/k/a Sigma-Tau Finance Holding S.A.) and 58% of the capital stock of Defiante Farmaceutica L.d.A. Sigma-Tau International S.A. owns 42% of the capital stock of Defiante Farmaceutica L.d.A. Claudio Cavazza owns, directly and indirectly, 60% of Sigma-Tau Finanziaria S.p.A. and Paolo Cavazza owns, directly and indirectly, 40% of Sigma-Tau Finanziaria S.p.A. Paolo Cavazza also owns, directly and indirectly, 100% of Aptafin S.p.A.  Aptafin S.p.A. owns, directly and indirectly, 100% of Chaumiere - Consultadoria &amp; Servicos SDC Unipessoal LDA.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Defiante Farmaceutica L.d.A., the holder of the 8% Convertible Debenture, may convert all or any portion of the debenture into Common Stock, no par value per share, at any time prior to the maturity date of April 15, 2005.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurizio Terenzi, Attorney-in-fact for Sigma-Tau International S.A.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurizio Terenzi, Attorney-in-fact for Sigma-Tau Finanziaria S.p.A.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurizio Terenzi, Attorney-in-fact for Defiante Farmaceutica L.D.A.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurizio Terenzi, Attorney-in-fact for Aptafin S.p.A.</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurizio Terenzi, Attorney-in-fact for Chaumiere - Consultadoria &amp; Servicos SDC Unipessoal LDA</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurizio Terenzi, Attorney-in-fact for Claudio Cavazza</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Maurizio Terenzi, Attorney-in-fact for Paolo Cavazza</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-15</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
