Equity - Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended																12 Months Ended
		Dec. 31, 2019	[1]	Sep. 30, 2019	[2]	Jun. 30, 2019	[3]	Mar. 31, 2019	[4]	Dec. 31, 2018	[1]	Sep. 30, 2018	[2]	Jun. 30, 2018	[3]	Mar. 31, 2018	[4]	Dec. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Gains on derivatives recognized in interest expense, net reclassified out of other comprehensive income																		$ 1,509	$ 1,144	$ 1,004
Tax expense (benefit)																		544	(490)	2,418
Total reclassifications, net of tax		$ (2,801)		$ (1,884)		$ (741)		$ (2,456)		$ 1,826		$ (2,747)		$ (1,983)		$ (2,783)		(7,882)	(5,687)	(5,309)
Losses (gains) on foreign currency exchange contracts																		7,439	7,718	7,042
Pension and post-employment benefits
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Amortization of actuarial losses and other	[5]																	110	141	107
Tax benefit																		(23)	(28)	(33)
Total reclassifications, net of tax																		87	113	74
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income | Cash flow hedging activities
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Tax expense (benefit)																		14	(4)	6
Total reclassifications, net of tax																		(157)	157	(112)
Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income | Net investment hedging activities | Net investment hedging activities
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Gains on derivatives recognized in interest expense, net reclassified out of other comprehensive income	[6]																	(27)	0	0
Tax expense (benefit)																		6	0	0
Total reclassifications, net of tax																		(21)	0	0
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income | Cash flow hedging activities
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Losses (gains) on foreign currency exchange contracts	[7]																	(167)	161	(118)
Treasury rate lock agreements | Reclassification out of accumulated other comprehensive income | Cash flow hedging activities
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Gains on derivatives recognized in interest expense, net reclassified out of other comprehensive income	[6]																	$ 4	$ 0	$ 0

[1] Fourth quarter results in 2019 included an after-tax charge of $438 million related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities offset by after-tax income of $435 million from a legal settlement related to an intellectual property dispute with a third party and $297 million from an amended and restated license agreement between AbbVie and Reata. Fourth quarter results in 2018 included an after-tax intangible asset impairment charge of $4.5 billion partially offset by an after-tax benefit of $375 million related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities.

[2] Third quarter results in 2019 included after-tax charges of $912 million related to intangible asset impairment and $182 million related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities. Third quarter results in 2018 included after-tax litigation reserves charges of $176 million and $95 million related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities.

[3] Second quarter results in 2019 included an after-tax charge of $2.3 billion related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities resulting from the April 2019 regulatory approvals of SKYRIZI for the treatment of moderate to severe plaque psoriasis. Second quarter results in 2018 included after-tax charges of $500 million as a result of a collaboration agreement extension with Calico and $485 million related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities.

[4] First quarter results in 2019 included after-tax charges of $171 million related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities and restructuring charges of $133 million. First quarter results in 2018 included an after-tax benefit of $148 million related to the change in fair value of contingent consideration liabilities partially offset by after-tax litigation reserves charges of $100 million.

[5] Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 12).

[6] Amounts are included in interest expense, net (see Note 11).

[7] Amounts are included in cost of products sold (see Note 11).