Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	NBIX
Entity Registrant Name	NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000914475
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		92,865,121
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 par value
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity File Number	0-22705
Entity Tax Identification Number	33-0525145
Entity Address, Address Line One	12780 El Camino Real
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92130
City Area Code	858
Local Phone Number	617-7600
Document Quarterly Report	true
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE