Collaboration, License, Co-Promotion and Other Commercial Agreements - North America - Commercial Efforts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2017
Collaborative arrangements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	$ 63,086
Collaborative arrangements | Allergan | North America | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	61,599
Collaborative arrangements, LINZESS | Allergan | North America | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	61,150
Collaborative arrangements, LINZESS | Allergan | U.S. | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	61,150
Selling, general and administrative costs incurred by the Company	(10,928)	$ (11,109)
The Company's share of net profit (loss)	$ 50,222	38,343
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Collaborative arrangements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue		51,865
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Collaborative arrangements | Allergan | North America | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue		49,951
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Collaborative arrangements, LINZESS | Allergan | North America | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue		49,452
Calculated under Revenue Guidance in Effect before Topic 606 | Collaborative arrangements, LINZESS | Allergan | U.S. | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue		$ 49,452