Revenue Recognition - Schedule of Disaggregation of Revenue (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 949,828	$ 784,535	$ 2,749,556	$ 2,177,491
United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	710,323	620,485	2,052,044	1,687,963
Europe
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	184,845	132,876	532,809	400,685
Other
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	54,660	31,174	164,703	88,843
Total revenues outside of the United States
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	239,505	164,050	697,512	489,528
Product revenues, net
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	949,828	782,511	2,747,461	2,170,152
SYMDEKO/SYMKEVI
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	403,714	254,919	1,085,821	474,601
ORKAMBI
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	296,711	281,859	906,159	947,186
KALYDECO
Disaggregation of Revenue [Line Items]
Disaggregation of revenue	$ 249,403	$ 245,733	$ 755,481	$ 748,365