Segment Information - Revenues by Product (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Jun. 30, 2016 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($) segment	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | segment									1
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net	$ 621,228	$ 549,642	$ 513,988	$ 480,622	$ 453,882	$ 409,689	$ 425,651	$ 394,410	$ 2,165,480	$ 1,683,632	$ 1,000,324
ORKAMBI
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net									1,320,850	979,590	350,663
KALYDECO
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net									844,630	703,432	631,674
INCIVEK
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total product revenues, net									$ 0	$ 610	$ 17,987