Business Combination, Additional Contingent Consideration Upon Achievement of Milestone

No definition available.

Name:	amgn_BusinessCombinationAdditionalContingentConsiderationUponAchievementofMilestones
Namespace Prefix:	amgn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Business Combination, Fair Value of Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Addition from Acquisitions

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amgn_BusinessCombinationFairValueofContingentConsiderationArrangementsAdditionfromAcquisitions
Namespace Prefix:	amgn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value measurement.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amgn_FairValueMeasurementTextualAbstract
Namespace Prefix:	amgn_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Investment Maturity Period

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amgn_InvestmentMaturityPeriod
Namespace Prefix:	amgn_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Payments of Contingent Consideration Obligation

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	amgn_PaymentsofContingentConsiderationObligation
Namespace Prefix:	amgn_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of increase (decrease) in the value of a contingent consideration liability, including, but not limited to, differences arising upon settlement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 4
-Subparagraph (a)(1)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e7008-128479

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsChangeInAmountOfContingentConsiderationLiability1
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

For contingent consideration arrangements recognized in connection with a business combination, this element represents an estimate of the high-end of the potential range (undiscounted) of the consideration which may be paid.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 805
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (c)(3)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35744584&loc=d3e6927-128479

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessCombinationContingentConsiderationArrangementsRangeOfOutcomesValueHigh
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

The amount of unfunded commitments for which the entity is obligated, to those certain investments for which net asset value per share is calculated (including by unit, membership interest, or other equity (ownership interest) unit measure) (alternative investments).

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6A
-Subparagraph (c)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=SL6742756-110258

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueInvestmentsEntitiesThatCalculateNetAssetValuePerShareUnfundedCommittments
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Net asset value of investment in certain entities that calculate net asset value per share. Includes, but is not limited to, by unit, membership interest, or other ownership interest. Investment includes, but is not limited to, investment in certain hedge funds, venture capital funds, private equity funds, real estate partnerships or funds. Excludes fair value disclosure.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 6A
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=SL6742756-110258

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 59
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65894324&loc=SL6740821-110257

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 2
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=66048111&loc=d3e19207-110258

Reference 4: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 820
-SubTopic 10
-Section 35
-Paragraph 54B
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=65894324&loc=SL7495116-110257

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentsNetAssetValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Amount, after unamortized (discount) premium and debt issuance costs, of long-term debt. Includes, but not limited to, notes payable, bonds payable, debentures, mortgage loans and commercial paper. Excludes capital lease obligations.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 944
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.7-03(a)(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6879938&loc=d3e572229-122910

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 210
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.9-03(16))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6876686&loc=d3e534808-122878

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(22))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_LongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Maximum period of time the entity is hedging its exposure to variability in future cash flows for forecasted transactions, in 'PnYnMnDTnHnMnS' format, for example, 'P1Y5M13D' represents the reported fact of one year, five months, and thirteen days. Excludes forecasted transactions related to payment of variable interest on existing financial instruments.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 815
-SubTopic 30
-Section 50
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (d)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=35736893&loc=d3e80748-113994

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_MaximumLengthOfTimeForeignCurrencyCashFlowHedge
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:durationItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Fair value portion of notes payable.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.19,20,22)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_NotesPayableFairValueDisclosure
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=amgn_DezimaPharmaB.V.Member
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis=amgn_BiovexGroupIncMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_FairValueByAssetClassAxis=amgn_OtherGovernmentRelatedAndCorporateDebtSecuritiesMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

- Details

Name:	us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis=amgn_LimitedPartnershipMember
Namespace Prefix:
Data Type:	na
Balance Type:
Period Type:

Fair value measurement (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]
Unfunded commitments, measured at NAV	$ 100
Length of time hedged in foreign currency contracts	3 years
Aggregate fair value of long-term debt, including current portion	$ 38,600		$ 36,500
Carrying value of long-term debt, including current portion	35,342		34,596
Dezima [Member]
Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]
Maximum additional consideration due contingent on certain milestones		$ 1,250
Net changes in valuation	(116)
Contingent consideration obligations in connection with business combinations	0	110
Biovex [Member]
Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]
Payment of contingent consideration obligation		$ 125
Additional contingent consideration upon achievement of milestones	$ 325
Other government-related and corporate debt securities [Member]
Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]
Investment maturity period	5 years
Limited Partnership [Member]
Fair Value Measurement (Textual) [Abstract]
Investments, measured at NAV	$ 213		$ 158