Segment Information (Schedule of Financial Data for Business Segments) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014 segment	Mar. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of business segments	2
Total revenues	$ 289,084	$ 290,196
Total gross margin	94,314	71,444
Total operating (loss) income	(34,155)	8,609
Interest income	14	37
Interest expense	(25,467)	(24,036)
Loss on debt extinguishment	(3,989)	(7,335)
(Benefit) provision for income taxes	(24,232)	(7,979)
Net loss	(39,365)	(14,746)
Par Pharmaceutical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	273,806	272,800
Total gross margin	83,644	59,685
Total operating (loss) income	(23,260)	9,523
Strativa [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	15,278	17,396
Total gross margin	10,670	11,759
Total operating (loss) income	$ (10,895)	$ (914)