Distribution Agreements (Details) (U.S. Based Specialty Pharmaceutical Distributors)	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2013
Distribution Agreements
Distribution agreement, initial term	1 year
Distribution agreement, additional terms	1 year
Remodulin and Tyvaso
Distribution Agreements
Number of distributors	2

Represents the additional terms for distribution agreement unless terminated earlier.

No definition available.

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Namespace Prefix:	uthr_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
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Period Type:	duration