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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
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<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001076167-09-000019.txt : 20090123
<SEC-HEADER>0001076167-09-000019.hdr.sgml : 20090123
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090123164021
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001076167-09-000019
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090122
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090123
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090123

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ADOLOR CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001076167
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				311429198
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 PENNSYLVANIA DRIVE
		CITY:			EXTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19341

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		700 PENNSYLVANIA DRIVE
		CITY:			EXTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19341

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			DOUGHERTY MICHAEL R
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001033516
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			PA
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30039
		FILM NUMBER:		09542859

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		484 595 1500

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O ADOLOR CORP
		STREET 2:		700 PENNSYLVANIA DR
		CITY:			EXTON
		STATE:			PA
		ZIP:			19341
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0303</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2009-01-22</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001076167</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ADOLOR CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ADLR</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001033516</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>DOUGHERTY MICHAEL R</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O ADOLOR CORP</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>700 PENNSYLVANIA DR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>EXTON</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>PA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>19341</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President &amp; CEO</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-01-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>P</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>25000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>1.9</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>179411</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This transaction was executed in multiple trades at prices ranging from $1.88 to $1.93.  The price reported above reflects the weighted average purchase price.  The reporting person hereby undertakes to provide upon request to the SEC staff, the issuer or a security holder of the issuer full information regarding the number of shares and prices at which the transaction was effected.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ John M. Limongelli as Attorney-in-Fact for Michael R. Dougherty</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-01-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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