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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>0001089473-09-000008.txt : 20090209
<SEC-HEADER>0001089473-09-000008.hdr.sgml : 20090209
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20090209192128
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001089473-09-000008
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20090205
FILED AS OF DATE:		20090209
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20090209

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			JENNINGS MARK E
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001019324
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	ELECTRICAL INDUSTRIAL APPARATUS [3620]
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0731

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30318
		FILM NUMBER:		09582662

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		203-422-8215

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		ONE GREENWICH OFFICE PARK
		CITY:			GREENWICH
		STATE:			CT
		ZIP:			06381

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			INVENTIV HEALTH INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001089473
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SERVICES-MANAGEMENT CONSULTING SERVICES [8742]
		IRS NUMBER:				522181734
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 COTTONTAIL LANE
		STREET 2:		VANTAGE COURT NORTH
		CITY:			SOMERSET
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08873
		BUSINESS PHONE:		732-537-4800

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		200 COTTONTAIL LANE
		STREET 2:		VANTAGE COURT NORTH
		CITY:			SOMERSET
		STATE:			NJ
		ZIP:			08873

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	VENTIV HEALTH INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990810

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	SNYDER HEALTHCARE SERVICES INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19990624
</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>2009-02-05</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001089473</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>INVENTIV HEALTH INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>vtiv</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001019324</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>JENNINGS MARK E</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O GENERATION PARTNERS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>ONE GREENWICH OFFICE PARK</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>GREENWICH</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CT</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>06380</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2009-02-05</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>36697</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>9.81</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>66697</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The 36,697 shares of restricted stock granted to the reporting person on February 5, 2009 will vest in equal installments on the first four anniversaries of the grant date provided the reporting person continues to serve on the Company's Board of Directors on such dates, and provided further that all shares will become fully vested if (a) (i) the reporting person is not nominated for reelection to the Board of Directors in connection with any stockholder meeting or consent pursuant to which directors are elected, (ii) notwithstanding such nomination, the reporting person is not reelected to the Board of Directors or (iii) the reporting person is removed from the Board of Directors (in each case other than for Cause, as defined) or (b) there is a Change of Control, as defined, with respect to the issuer.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The price of the securities represents the fair market value at the date of issuance. No consideration has been, or will be, received from the reporting person as result of granting, or upon vesting, of these shares.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Mark E. Jennings</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2009-02-09</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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