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

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2007-06-11</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001066833</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DOV PHARMACEUTICAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DOVP</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001278736</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>POLYGON GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 DUKE OF YORK SQUARE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>SW34LY</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001308513</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Polygon Investment Partners LLP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>10 DUKE OF YORK SQUARE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>SW3 4LY</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001308514</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Polygon Investment Partners LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>399 PARK AVENUE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>22ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001388444</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Polygon Investment Partners HK LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>UNIT 1501-1502, 15/F CHEUNG KONG CENTER</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>2 QUEEN'S ROAD CENTRAL</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>HONG KONG</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>K3</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>HK</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>HONG KONG</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001308098</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Polygon Investments Ltd.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>UGLAND HOUSE</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>SOUTH CHURCH STREET</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GEORGE TOWN, GRAND CAYMAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>E9</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>BWI</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>CAYMAN ISLANDS</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001400002</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Polygon Investment Management LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>10 DUKE OF YORK SQUARE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>SW3 4LY</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001400001</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Polygon Investment Partners GP, LLC</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS LP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>399 PARK AVENUE, 22ND FLR.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001399998</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Reade E. Griffith</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>10 DUKE OF YORK SQUARE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>SW3 4LY</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001399994</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Alexander E. Jackson</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS LP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>399 PARK AVENUE, 22ND FLR.</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10022</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001399996</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Patrick G. G. Dear</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS LLP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>10 DUKE OF YORK SQUARE</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>LONDON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>X0</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>SW3 4LY</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>UNITED KINGDOM</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-06-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>12225672</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12225672</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Series C Convertible Preferred Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2007-06-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>C</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>64000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-05-11</value>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2007-06-11</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>12225672</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12225672</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">All outstanding shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock were automatically converted to common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, (the &quot;Common Stock&quot;) on June 11, 2007, at a conversion price of $0.523488616 per share, or 191.02612143 shares of Common Stock for one share of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The Reporting Persons acquired the shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to an exchange offer in which each $1,000 in principal amount outstanding of 2.50% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2025 issued by the Company pursuant to an indenture, dated as of December 22, 2004, was exchangeable for $212.50 and 8 shares of Series C Convertible Preferred Stock.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <remarks>This Form 4 is filed by Polygon Global Opportunities Master Fund, Polygon Investments Ltd., Polygon Investment Management Limited, Polygon Investment Partners LLP, Polygon Investment Partners LP, Polygon Investment Partners HK Limited, Polygon Investment Partners GP, LLC, Mr. Reade E. Griffith, Mr. Alexander E. Jackson and Mr. Patrick G. G. Dear.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>POLYGON GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES MASTER FUND By: Polygon Investment Partners LLP, its investment manager By: /s/ Patrick G.G. Dear, Principal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>POLYGON INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT LIMITED By: /s/ Patrick G.G. Dear, Principal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>POLYGON INVESTMENTS LTD. By: /s/ Patrick G.G. Dear, Principal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS LLP By: /s/ Patrick G.G. Dear, Principal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS LP By: /s/ Patrick G.G. Dear, Principal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS HK LIMITED By: /s/ Patrick G.G. Dear, Principal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>POLYGON INVESTMENT PARTNERS GP, LLC By: /s/ Patrick G.G. Dear, Principal</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Reade E. Griffith</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Alexander E. Jackson</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Patrick G.G. Dear</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2007-06-11</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
