Legal Proceedings (Details) $ in Billions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($) patient claimant
ASR
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	2,000
Pinnacle Acetabular Cup System
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	10,400
Pelvic Meshes
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	37,400
Risperdal
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	13,000
XARELTO®
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	25,500
Talc
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	11,700
Invokana
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	1,100
Physiomesh [Member]
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Product Liability Contingency Number Of Claimants	1,500
DePuy ASR U.S. | settled litigation
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Number of patients in settlement | patient	10,000
Damages from Product Defects | Baby Powder | Judicial Ruling
Legal Proceeding (Textuals)
Litigation contingency | $	$ 4.7