Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Public Placement	Aspire Purchase Agreement	Equity Compensation Plans	Common Stock	Common Stock Public Placement	Common Stock Aspire Purchase Agreement	Common Stock Equity Compensation Plans	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Additional Paid-in Capital Public Placement	Additional Paid-in Capital Aspire Purchase Agreement	Additional Paid-in Capital Equity Compensation Plans	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 32,756				$ 18				$ (49,464)	$ 788,122				$ (270)	$ (659,818)	$ (45,832)
Balance, shares (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019					167,798				7,568
Issuance of common stock for equity offerings		$ 7,326	$ 62,953	$ 99		$ 1	$ 3				$ 7,325	$ 62,950	$ 99
Issuance of common stock for equity offerings (in shares)						2,091	29,619	49
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants	13,535				$ 1					13,534
Issuance of common stock upon issuance of warrants (in shares)					5,009
Stock-based compensation	3,682									3,682
Foreign currency translation adjustment	55													55
Net Income (loss)	(69,180)														(65,195)	(3,985)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2020	51,226				$ 23				$ (49,464)	875,712				(215)	(725,013)	(49,817)
Balance, shares (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020					204,566				7,568
Balance at Dec. 31, 2020	140,731				$ 28				$ (49,464)	1,172,346				520	(958,279)	(24,420)
Balance, shares (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020					275,286				7,568
Issuance of common stock for equity offerings	42,209			$ 5,394	$ 1					42,208			$ 5,394
Issuance of common stock for equity offerings (in shares)					3,901			500
Issuance of common stock upon exercise of warrants	9,050									9,050
Issuance of common stock upon issuance of warrants (in shares)					2,550
Other acquisitions, license agreements and investments paid in equity	7,500									7,500
Other acquisitions, license agreements and investments paid in equity (in shares)					851
Changes to noncontrolling interests from increased ownership in Scilex Holding										(23,963)						23,963
Changes to noncontrolling interests from increased ownership in Scilex Holding (in shares)					2,567
Stock-based compensation	23,660									23,660
Foreign currency translation adjustment	(75)													(75)
Net Income (loss)	2,418														2,510	(92)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 230,887				$ 29				$ (49,464)	$ 1,236,195				$ 445	$ (955,769)	$ (549)
Balance, shares (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021					285,655				7,568