Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2018	Apr. 11, 2019	Jun. 29, 2018
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	RespireRx Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0000849636
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2018
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filer	No
Entity's Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business Flag	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Ex Transition Period	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Public Float			$ 3,164,690
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		3,872,076
Trading Symbol	RSPI
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018