<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<FilingSummary xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
  <Version>2.4.1.9</Version>
  <ProcessingTime />
  <ReportFormat>Html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>67</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>209</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>28</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>9</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>101 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DocumentandEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>true</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>103 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassified</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>104 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfFinancialPositionClassifiedParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>105 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>106 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfShareholdersEquityAndOtherComprehensiveIncome</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>107 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/StatementOfCashFlowsIndirect</Role>
      <ShortName>Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>108 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationBasisOfPresentationBusinessDescriptionAndAccountingPoliciesTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Policies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>109 - Disclosure - Liquidity and Management's Plans</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLiquidityDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Liquidity and Management's Plans</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>110 - Disclosure - Inventory</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInventoryDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>111 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>112 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>113 - Disclosure - License and Development Agreements</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLicenseAndDevelopmentAgreementTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>License and Development Agreements</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>114 - Disclosure - License Obligations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsLicenseAgreementAcquisitionDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>License Obligations</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>115 - Disclosure - Note Payable</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsDebtDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Note Payable</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>116 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>117 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsCommitmentsAndContingenciesDisclosureTextBlock</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>118 - Disclosure - Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsOrganizationConsolidationBasisOfPresentationBusinessDescriptionAndAccountingPoliciesTextBlockPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>119 - Disclosure - Inventory (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsInventoryDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>120 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>121 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsPropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>122 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/NotesToFinancialStatementsStockholdersEquityNoteDisclosureTextBlockTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity (Tables)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>123 - Disclosure - Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureOrganizationAndBasisOfPresentationAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Organization and Basis of Presentation - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>124 - Disclosure - Liquidity and Management's Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLiquidityAndManagementsPlansAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Liquidity and Management's Plans - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>125 - Disclosure - Inventory - Summary of Inventories (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureInventorySummaryOfInventories</Role>
      <ShortName>Inventory - Summary of Inventories (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>126 - Disclosure - Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilitiesSummaryOfComponentsOfAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities</Role>
      <ShortName>Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Summary of Components of Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>127 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Summarized Category of Fixed Assets (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentSummarizedCategoryOfFixedAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Summarized Category of Fixed Assets (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>128 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>129 - Disclosure - License and Development Agreements - Meda License, Development and Supply Agreements - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLicenseAndDevelopmentAgreementsMedaLicenseDevelopmentAndSupplyAgreementsAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>License and Development Agreements - Meda License, Development and Supply Agreements - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>130 - Disclosure - License and Development Agreements - Endo License and Development Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLicenseAndDevelopmentAgreementsEndoLicenseAndDevelopmentAgreementAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>License and Development Agreements - Endo License and Development Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>131 - Disclosure - License Obligations - Arcion License Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLicenseObligationsArcionLicenseAgreementAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>License Obligations - Arcion License Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>132 - Disclosure - License Obligations - Evonik Development and Exclusive License Option Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureLicenseObligationsEvonikDevelopmentAndExclusiveLicenseOptionAgreementAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>License Obligations - Evonik Development and Exclusive License Option Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>133 - Disclosure - Note Payable - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureNotePayableAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Note Payable - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>134 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Additional information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Additional information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>135 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityWeightedAverageForKeyAssumptionsUsedInDeterminingFairValueOfOptionsGranted</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Weighted Average for Key Assumptions Used in Determining Fair Value of Options Granted (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>136 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Option Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquitySummaryOfOptionActivity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Option Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>137 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquitySummaryOfRestrictedStockActivity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Summary of Restricted Stock Activity (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>138 - Disclosure - Commitments and contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.bdsi.com/taxonomy/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesAdditionalInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and contingencies - Additional Information (Detail)</ShortName>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <Logs>
    <Log type="Info">Element bdsi_InitialPaymentForLicenseAgreement had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element bdsi_PotentialPaymentsUponFilingAndAcceptance had a mix of decimals attribute values: -6 -5.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Element us-gaap_ContractsRevenue had a mix of decimals attribute values: -5 -3.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '129 - Disclosure - License and Development Agreements - Meda License, Development and Supply Agreements - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '130 - Disclosure - License and Development Agreements - Endo License and Development Agreement - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '133 - Disclosure - Note Payable - Additional Information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">'Monetary' elements on report '134 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Additional information (Detail)' had a mix of different decimal attribute values.</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 103 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Mar. 31, 2014'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">	Process Flow-Through: Removing column 'Dec. 31, 2013'</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 104 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 105 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)</Log>
    <Log type="Info">Process Flow-Through: 107 - Statement - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)</Log>
  </Logs>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>bdsi-20150331.xml</File>
    <File>bdsi-20150331.xsd</File>
    <File>bdsi-20150331_cal.xml</File>
    <File>bdsi-20150331_def.xml</File>
    <File>bdsi-20150331_lab.xml</File>
    <File>bdsi-20150331_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles />
  <BaseTaxonomies />
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
