Intangible assets - Patents (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)
Generic Tussionex
Intangible assets
Patents being amortized	$ 352,000
Useful life	10 years
Adzenys XR-ODT
Intangible assets
Patents being amortized	$ 599,000
Cotempla XR-ODT
Intangible assets
Patents being amortized	$ 83,000
Useful life	15 years
Adzenys ER
Intangible assets
Patents being amortized	$ 451,000
Useful life	15 years
Patents being amortized on January 27, 2016 | Adzenys XR-ODT
Intangible assets
Patents being amortized	$ 535,000
Useful life	16 years
Patents being amortized on December 2017 | Adzenys XR-ODT
Intangible assets
Patents being amortized	$ 64,000
Useful life	15 years