Unconsolidated Joint Venture (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Joint venture ownership percentage (in hundredths)			50.00%
Sales and marketing fee from joint venture as percentage of net sales (in hundredths)			7.50%
Proceeds from joint venture sale of rights						$ 63,200,000
Joint venture proceeds from cost of sales of right			100,000
Joint venture gain on sale of rights	24,200,000	38,900,000	63,100,000
Joint venture gain on sale of rights as percentage of sale proceeds (in hundredths)	38.30%	61.70%
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated joint venture			80,000	0	14,550,000	23,400,000
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			82,895,000	57,500,000	41,306,000
Income tax (benefit) / provision			30,533,000	22,122,000	(1,707,000)
Akorn Inc. [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from joint venture sale of rights			35,000,000
Joint venture sale of rights (in hundredths)			55.40%
Akorn Inc. [Member] | Joint Venture Company Product [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Revenues from sale of product to the Joint Venture					800,000
Strides Arcolab Limited [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Proceeds from joint venture sale of rights			28,200,000
Joint venture sale of rights (in hundredths)			44.60%
Akorn-Strides LLC [Member] | Akorn Inc. [Member]
CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF INCOME [Abstract]
REVENUES			163,000	0	6,364,000
Cost of sales			(1,000)	0	3,562,000
GROSS PROFIT			164,000	0	2,802,000
Operating expenses			3,000	0	499,000
OPERATING INCOME			161,000	0	2,303,000
Gain from Pfizer ANDA Sale			0	0	24,160,000
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES			161,000	0	26,463,000
Income tax (benefit) / provision			0	0	(38,000)
NET INCOME			161,000	0	26,501,000
ASSETS [Abstract]
Cash			25,000	794,000
Other current assets			1,000
TOTAL ASSETS			26,000	794,000
LIABILITIES & MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT) [Abstract]
Trade accounts payable & other accrued liabilities			0	431,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES			0	431,000
Members' equity, net of advances			26,000	363,000
TOTAL LIABILITIES & MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)			$ 26,000	$ 794,000