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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>0001089473-08-000006.txt : 20080123
<SEC-HEADER>0001089473-08-000006.hdr.sgml : 20080123
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080123191220
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001089473-08-000006
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080118
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080123
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080123

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

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Walter Blane
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001340555

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-30318
		FILM NUMBER:		08545730

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		614-543-6650

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		500 OLDE WORTHINGTON ROAD
		CITY:			WESTERVILLE
		STATE:			OH
		ZIP:			43082
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-01-18</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

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

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001340555</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Walter Blane</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>C/O INVENTIV COMMUNICATIONS</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>500 OLDE WORTHINGTON ROAD</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>WESTERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>OH</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>43082</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>President, inVentiv Health</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>7680</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.55</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>817066</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Stock option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>32.55</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2008-01-18</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>36206</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>32.55</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F3"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2018-01-18</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>36206</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>94120</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F4"/>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">The reporting person was granted 7,680 restricted shares on January 18, 2008.  These shares will vest in equal installments on the first four anniversaries of the date of issuance provided the reporting person continues to be employed by the Company on such dates.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The price of the securities represents the closing price on 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>
        <footnote id="F3">The 36,206 options issued to the reporting person on January 18, 2008 will vest and become exercisable in equal installments on the first four anniversaries of the date of issuance provided the reporting person continues to be employed by the Company on such dates.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F4">The derivative securities beneficial ownership reported in column 9 includes all options held by the reporting person following the reported transactions irrespective of class.  The number of securities in the reported class is 36,206.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Blane Walter</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-01-23</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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