Summary of Total Revenues (Detail) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2012	Sep. 30, 2011
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	$ 174,130	$ 72,216	$ 398,585	$ 185,583
Royalties and contract revenues	1,385	1,077	3,691	3,158
Total revenues	175,515	73,293	402,276	188,741
Xyrem
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	102,615	62,547	265,149	161,503
Erwinaze And Erwinase
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	31,652		37,660
Prialt
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	5,413		20,491
Luvox CR
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	11,605	9,669	31,634	24,080
Faza Clo Ld
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	6,370		17,905
Faza Clo Hd
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	3,057		8,979
Other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Product sales, net	$ 13,418		$ 16,767