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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>0001343264-06-000043.txt : 20061130
<SEC-HEADER>0001343264-06-000043.hdr.sgml : 20061130
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20061130150217
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001343264-06-000043
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20061130
FILED AS OF DATE:		20061130
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20061130

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			FRIEDMANN NADAV
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001245267

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-29959
		FILM NUMBER:		061248054

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		PAIN THERAPEUTICS INC
		STREET 2:		416 BROWNING WAY
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6508253322

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			PAIN THERAPEUTICS INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001069530
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				911911336
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		250 EAST GRAND AVENUE
		STREET 2:		SUITE 70
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
		BUSINESS PHONE:		6506248200

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		416 BROWNING WAY
		STREET 2:		NONE
		CITY:			SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			94080
</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>2006-11-30</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0001069530</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>PAIN THERAPEUTICS INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ptie</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001245267</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>FRIEDMANN NADAV</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity></rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode></rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>Chief Operating &amp; Med. Officer</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2006-11-30</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>4000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>8.59</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F2"/>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>162596</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">This proposed sale is made pursuant to a plan intended to comply with the Rule 10b5-1(c) Plan, previously adopted on 7/14/06, when I was not aware of material nonpublic information.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">Pursuant to the 10b5-1(c) plan, 4,000 shares were sold in eight (8) lots at prices ranging from $8.56 and $8.63 per share.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Nadav Friedmann</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2006-11-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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