Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	S-1/A
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2013
Trading Symbol	ARDM
Entity Registrant Name	ARADIGM CORP
Entity Central Index Key	0001013238
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company