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Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
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Represents the amount paid to date per the terms and conditions of the assignment agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	vvus_AssignmentArrangementPaymentsMadeToDate
Namespace Prefix:	vvus_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the cost of finished goods inventory purchased during the period under the collaborative arrangements.

No definition available.

Name:	vvus_CollaborativeArrangementsCostOfFinishedGoodsInventoryPurchased
Namespace Prefix:	vvus_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
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Represents the potential future milestone payments upon the achievement of threshold sales as per the agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	vvus_CollaborativeArrangementsPotentialFutureMilestonePaymentsAchievementOfThresholdSales
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the number of shares of common stock that may be purchased under stock options issued per the terms and conditions of the agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	vvus_CollaborativeArrangementsStockOptionsIssuedNumberOfShares
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Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents terms of the agreement.

No definition available.

Name:	vvus_CollaborativeArrangementsTermsOfAgreement
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Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

Represents the threshold level of sales in a calendar year to trigger future milestone payments.

No definition available.

Name:	vvus_CollaborativeArrangementsThresholdSales
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Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

Represents the milestone payment paid as per the agreement.

No definition available.

License, Commercialization and Supply Agreements (Details 4) (USD $) In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended		156 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	147 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2013 Development, license and clinical trial and commercial supply agreement Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation or MTPC	Dec. 31, 2012 Development, license and clinical trial and commercial supply agreement Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation or MTPC	Dec. 31, 2013 Development, license and clinical trial and commercial supply agreement Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation or MTPC	Dec. 31, 2013 Development of Combination Therapy under Assignment Agreement	Dec. 31, 2013 Development of Combination Therapy under Assignment Agreement
License, Commercialization and Supply Agreements
Milestone payment paid	$ 2.0	$ 3.0	$ 15.0
Cost of products purchased	9.9	7.4
Potential future milestone payments upon the achievement of threshold sales	6.0
Threshold sales level for milestone payments	250.0
Terms of agreement	10 years
Payments made to date					$ 1.2
Options issued to purchase common stock (in shares)				60,000