Collaboration, License, Co-Promotion and Other Commercial Agreements - North America - Commercial Efforts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	$ 81,106	$ 65,077	$ 150,261	$ 117,243
Collaborative arrangements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	71,207	58,640	134,293	110,504
Collaborative arrangements | Allergan | North America | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	69,810	56,742	131,408	106,693
Collaborative arrangements, LINZESS | Allergan | North America | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	69,264	56,307	130,413	105,759
Collaborative arrangements, LINZESS | Allergan | U.S. | Collaborative arrangement, collaboration and license agreements
Collaboration, License and Co-Promotion Agreements
Revenue	69,264	56,307	130,413	105,759
Selling, general and administrative costs incurred by the Company	(11,713)	(12,496)	(22,641)	(23,605)
The Company's share of net profit (loss)	$ 57,551	$ 43,811	$ 107,772	$ 82,154