Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013	Oct. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	NPS PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Entity Central Index Key	0000890465
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Effective Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Period Start Date	Jan. 01, 2013
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		102,101,240