<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001513160-12-000043.txt : 20120530
<SEC-HEADER>0001513160-12-000043.hdr.sgml : 20120530
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20120530165812
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001513160-12-000043
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	4
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20120301
FILED AS OF DATE:		20120530
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20120530

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Saloff David
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001375530

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		4
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-08092
		FILM NUMBER:		12878275

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		C/O GMID
		STREET 2:		12100 WILSHIRE BLVD., SUITE 800
		CITY:			LOS ANGELES
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90025

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			OXIS INTERNATIONAL INC
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000109657
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	PHARMACEUTICAL PREPARATIONS [2834]
		IRS NUMBER:				941620407
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		468 N. CAMDEN DR.
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BEVERLY HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90210
		BUSINESS PHONE:		(310) 551-4020

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		468 N. CAMDEN DR.
		STREET 2:		2ND FLOOR
		CITY:			BEVERLY HILLS
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			90210

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DDI PHARMACEUTICALS INC
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19920703

	FORMER COMPANY:	
		FORMER CONFORMED NAME:	DIAGNOSTIC DATA INC /DE/
		DATE OF NAME CHANGE:	19850312
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>4
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>primary_doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0305</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2012-03-01</periodOfReport>

    <notSubjectToSection16>0</notSubjectToSection16>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000109657</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>OXIS INTERNATIONAL INC</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>OXIS.OB</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001375530</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Saloff David</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1></rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2>468 N. CAMDEN DR., 2ND FLOOR</rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>BEVERLY HILLS</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>90210</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>1</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>CEO, Chairman of the Board</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Option</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>0.04</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2012-03-01</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>A</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionTimeliness>
                <value></value>
            </transactionTimeliness>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>26334193</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>0.04</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>A</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <exerciseDate>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2022-03-01</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>26334193</value>
                    <footnoteId id="F1"/>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>27650684</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeTransaction>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">David Saloff received a non-qualified stock option to purchase 26,334,193 shares of Common Stock under the Issuer's 2010 Equity Compensation Plan, in connection with his appointment as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company. One-third of the options vest and become exercisable immediately, and the balance vest in equal monthly installments during the three-year period following the date of grant. The options have a term of 10 years from the date of grant.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ David Saloff</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2012-05-30</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
