Condensed Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - 9 months ended Sep. 30, 2017 - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Retained Earnings	Other Comprehensive Loss
BALANCES AT Dec. 31, 2016 (in Shares) at Dec. 31, 2016	124,390,217	124,390,000
BALANCES AT Dec. 31, 2016 at Dec. 31, 2016	$ 819,184	$ 521,860	$ 319,291	$ (21,967)
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Consolidated net income (loss)	$ 40,667		40,667
Exercise of stock options (in Shares)	600,000	603,000
Exercise of stock options	$ 9,314	$ 9,314
Restricted stock units (in Shares)		138,000
Restricted stock units	5,343	$ 5,343
Stock-based compensation expense - stock options	9,461	$ 9,461
Foreign currency translation gain	4,128			4,128
Stock compensation plan withholdings for employee taxes (in Shares)		(62,000)
Stock compensation plan withholdings for employee taxes	(2,079)	$ (2,079)
Unrealized holding gain on available-for-sale securities	267			267
Akorn AG pension liability adjustment	271			271
Employee stock purchase plan	$ 822	$ 822
BALANCES AT Sept. 30, 2017 (in Shares) at Sep. 30, 2017	125,068,571	125,069,000
BALANCES AT Sept. 30, 2017 at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 887,378	$ 544,721	$ 359,958	$ (17,301)