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

    <schemaVersion>X0306</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2015-03-09</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001082038</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>DURECT CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>DRRX</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001459708</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>21 APRIL FUND LTD</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>Citco Fund Services (Cayman Islands) Ltd</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>Regatta Office Park West Bay Road</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GRAND CAYMAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>E9</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>KY1-1205</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>CAYMAN ISLANDS</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001459688</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>21 APRIL FUND LP</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>FIRST EAGLE INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, 44TH FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>New York</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001457518</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>First Eagle Value in Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>CITCO FUND SERVICES (CAYMAN ISLANDS) LTD</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>REGATTA OFFICE PARK WEST BAY ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GRAND CAYMAN</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>E9</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>KY1-1205</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription>CAYMAN ISLANDS</rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001637141</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Arnhold &amp; S. Bleichroeder Holdings, Inc.</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>1345 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NEW YORK</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>NY</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>10105</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></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>2015-03-09</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>300000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.69</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>11760397</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-03-10</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F3"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.74</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12260397</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-03-11</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>400000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F5"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.69</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12660397</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F6"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-03-12</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>200000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F7"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.69</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>12860397</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F8"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-03-13</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>168800</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F9"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.66</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13029197</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F10"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2015-03-16</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>100000</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F11"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.66</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>13129397</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F12"/>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">Represents 39,816, 146,184 and 114,000 shares purchased by 21 April Fund, LP (&quot;21 April LP&quot;), 21 April Fund, Ltd. (&quot;21 April Ltd.&quot;), and First Eagle Value in Biotechnology Master Fund, Ltd. (&quot;FEVIBM&quot; and, together with 21 April LP and 21 April Ltd., the &quot;Funds&quot;), respectively. First Eagle Management, LLC (&quot;FEIM&quot;) is general partner of 21 April LP, the registered investment adviser to the Funds and a subsidiary of Arnhold and S. Bleichroeder Holdings, Inc. (&quot;ASBH&quot;). ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its percuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Represents 1,526,339, 5,633,114 and 4,600,944 shares held directly by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F3">Represents 70,554, 259,446 and 170,000 shares purchased by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">Represents 1,596,893, 5,892,560 and 4,770,944 shares held directly by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F5">Represents 56,485, 207,515 and 136,000 shares purchased by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F6">Represents 1,653,378, 6,100,075 and 4,906,944 shares held directly by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F7">Represents 28,231, 103,769 and 68,000 shares purchased by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd., and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F8">Represents 1,681,609, 6,203,844 and 4,974,944 shares held directly by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F9">Represents 24,049, 88,484 and 56,267 shares purchased by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F10">Represents 1,705,658, 6,292,328 and 5,031,211 shares held directly by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F11">Represents 14,252, 52,415 and 33,333 shares purchased by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F12">Represents 1,719,910, 6,344,743 and 5,064,544 shares held directly by 21 April LP, 21 April Ltd. and FEVIBM, respectively. ASBH disclaims Section 16 beneficial ownership of the shares held directly by the Funds except to the extent, if any, of its pecuniary interest therein, and this report shall not be deemed an admission that ASBH is the Section 16 beneficial owner of any such securities.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Mark Goldstein, Secretary</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2015-03-19</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
