Revenue Recognition - Schedule of disaggregation of revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017	Jun. 30, 2018	Jun. 30, 2017
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 752,157	$ 544,135	$ 1,392,956	$ 1,258,853
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	584,811	429,804	1,067,478	1,028,930
Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	135,914	91,992	267,809	184,350
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	31,432	22,339	57,669	45,573
Total revenues outside of the United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	167,346	114,331	325,478	229,923
Product revenues, net
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	749,912	513,988	1,387,641	994,610
KALYDECO
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	253,093	189,633	502,632	375,348
ORKAMBI
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	311,261	324,407	665,327	619,268
SYMDEKO
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	185,558	0	219,682	0
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 0	$ (52)	$ 0	$ (6)