Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity and Noncontrolling Interest (unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Total Vertex Shareholders’ Equity	Common Stock	Additional Paid-in Capital	Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income	Accumulated Deficit	Noncontrolling Interest
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015			246,307
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 1,093,628	$ 939,967	$ 2,427	$ 6,197,500	$ 1,824	$ (5,261,784)	$ 153,661
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(6,723)	(6,723)			(6,723)
Net income (loss)	(36,102)	(41,631)				(41,631)	5,529
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			980
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	9,149	9,149	$ 2	9,147			0
Stock-based compensation expense	56,246	56,317		56,317			(71)
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2016			247,287
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2016	1,116,198	957,079	$ 2,429	6,262,964	(4,899)	(5,303,415)	159,119
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Cumulative effect adjustment for adoption of new accounting guidance | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Forfeiture Rate Component				9,371		(9,371)
Balance (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016			248,301
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2016	1,338,191	1,156,582	$ 2,450	6,506,795	21,173	(5,373,836)	181,609
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax	(5,148)	(5,148)			(5,148)
Net income (loss)	249,548	247,756				247,756	1,792
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			590
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	31,028	31,028	$ 9	31,019			0
Stock-based compensation expense	69,790	69,790		69,790			0
Other	(616)						(616)
Balance (shares) at Mar. 31, 2017			248,891
Ending Balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 1,682,793	$ 1,500,008	$ 2,459	$ 6,616,975	$ 16,025	$ (5,135,451)	$ 182,785