Document and Entity Information (Parenthetical)	Jun. 30, 2011
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Shares of common stock held by directors and executive officers	966,638

Shares of common stock held by directors and executive officers.

No definition available.

Name:	amgn_SharesCommonStockExcludedFromPublicFloatCalculation
Namespace Prefix:	amgn_
Data Type:	xbrli:sharesItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant