Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - 6 months ended Jun. 30, 2016 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income [Member]
BALANCES AT at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 621,565	$ 458,659	$ 180,048	$ (17,142)
BALANCES AT (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2015	119,427,471	119,427,000
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Consolidated net income	$ 103,879		103,879
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)		1,605,000
Exercise of stock options	9,676	$ 9,676
Compensation and share issuances related to restricted stock awards	1,507	1,507
Stock-based compensation expense	4,939	4,939
Foreign currency translation loss	(439)			(439)
Other stock compensation	(779)	(779)
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	975			975
Convertible note conversions	43,214	$ 43,214
Convertible note conversions (in Shares)		4,933,000
Akorn AG pension liability adjustment	(2,727)			(2,727)
Stock compensation plan withholdings for employee taxes (in Shares)		(113,000)
Stock compensation plan withholdings for employee taxes	(3,500)	$ (3,500)
BALANCES AT at Jun. 30, 2016	$ 778,310	$ 513,716	$ 283,927	$ (19,333)
BALANCES AT (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2016	125,852,468	125,852,000