SEGMENT INFORMATION - Segment Revenues and Profit (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	May 26, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2020	Sep. 30, 2019
Segment reporting information
Revenues		$ 2,138	$ 2,209	$ 5,814	$ 6,377
Amortization of intangible assets		(391)	(475)	(1,263)	(1,452)
Asset impairments		(2)	(33)	(17)	(49)
Restructuring, integration and separation costs		(2)	(4)	(13)	(28)
Acquisition-related contingent consideration		(2)	(3)	(26)	(2)
Other expense, net		(16)	(10)	(146)	(15)
Operating income		460	329	681	873
Interest income		2	2	11	9
Interest expense		(374)	(406)	(1,155)	(1,221)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	$ (27)	0	0	(51)	(40)
Foreign exchange and other		(13)	9	(26)	12
Income (loss) before (provision for) benefit from income taxes		75	(66)	(540)	(367)
Bausch + Lomb/International
Segment reporting information
Revenues		1,169	1,175	3,166	3,501
Salix
Segment reporting information
Revenues		496	551	1,377	1,505
Ortho Dermatologics
Segment reporting information
Revenues		144	147	393	407
Diversified Products
Segment reporting information
Revenues		329	336	878	964
Operating Segment
Segment reporting information
Revenues		2,138	2,209	5,814	6,377
Operating income		1,014	1,012	2,588	2,854
Operating Segment | Bausch + Lomb/International
Segment reporting information
Revenues		1,169	1,175	3,166	3,501
Operating income		336	333	830	989
Operating Segment | Salix
Segment reporting information
Revenues		496	551	1,377	1,505
Operating income		360	375	968	995
Operating Segment | Ortho Dermatologics
Segment reporting information
Revenues		144	147	393	407
Operating income		70	58	156	156
Operating Segment | Diversified Products
Segment reporting information
Revenues		329	336	878	964
Operating income		248	246	634	714
Corporate
Segment reporting information
Operating income		$ (141)	$ (158)	$ (442)	$ (435)