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	(5,214)	(5,214)			(5,214)
Net income (loss)	(72,253)	(106,156)				(106,156)	33,903
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			1,397
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	33,570	33,570	$ 13	33,557			0
Stock-based compensation expense	119,114	119,187		119,187			(73)
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2016			247,704
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2016	1,168,845	981,354	$ 2,440	6,350,244	(3,390)	(5,367,940)	187,491
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	(42,926)	(42,926)			(42,926)
Net income (loss)	280,717	265,752				265,752	14,965
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			2,469
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	148,008	148,008	$ 29	147,979			0
Stock-based compensation expense	143,857	143,857		143,857			0
Other	(616)						(616)
Balance (shares) at Jun. 30, 2017			250,770
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2017	$ 1,867,231	$ 1,671,273	$ 2,479	$ 6,808,002	$ (21,753)	$ (5,117,455)	$ 195,958