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	(5,669)	(5,669)			(5,669)
Net (loss) income	(111,790)	(144,997)				(144,997)	33,207
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			1,722
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	50,894	50,894	$ 19	50,875			0
Stock-based compensation expense	181,278	181,351		181,351			(73)
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2016			248,029
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2016	1,208,341	1,021,546	$ 2,446	6,429,726	(3,845)	(5,406,781)	186,795
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	(46,302)	(46,302)			(46,302)
Net (loss) income	(10,550)	162,800				162,800	(173,350)
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans (shares)			4,382
Issuance of common stock under benefit plans	299,039	299,006	$ 50	298,956			33
Stock-based compensation expense	218,991	218,991		218,991			0
VIE noncontrolling interest upon deconsolidation	3,910						3,910
Other	(35)						(35)
Balance (shares) at Sep. 30, 2017			252,683
Ending Balance at Sep. 30, 2017	$ 1,803,244	$ 1,791,077	$ 2,500	$ 7,034,113	$ (25,129)	$ (5,220,407)	$ 12,167