Debt Instrument, Maximum Redemption Percentage With Equity Offering Proceeds

No definition available.

Name:	bhc_DebtInstrumentMaximumRedemptionPercentageWithEquityOfferingProceeds
Namespace Prefix:	bhc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Debt Instrument, Redemption Price, Percentage, Change in Control

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	bhc_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentageChangeinControl
Namespace Prefix:	bhc_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Contractual interest rate for funds borrowed, under the debt agreement.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02.22(a)(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Line items represent financial concepts included in a table. These concepts are used to disclose reportable information associated with domain members defined in one or many axes to the table.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentLineItems
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Percentage price of original principal amount of debt at which debt can be redeemed by the issuer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 942
-SubTopic 470
-Section 50
-Paragraph 3
-Subparagraph e
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=75038535&loc=d3e64711-112823

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRedemptionPricePercentage
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	num:percentItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Face (par) amount of the original debt instrument that was repurchased.

+ References

No definition available.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchasedFaceAmount
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Difference between the fair value of payments made and the carrying amount of debt which is extinguished prior to maturity.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001942&loc=d3e12355-112629

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 470
-SubTopic 50
-Section 40
-Paragraph 2
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=114001942&loc=d3e12317-112629

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 28
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3602-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_GainsLossesOnExtinguishmentOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow during the period from additional borrowings in aggregate debt. Includes proceeds from short-term and long-term debt.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/commonPracticeRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash inflow from a debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 14
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3255-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_ProceedsFromIssuanceOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

The cash outflow for debt initially having maturity due after one year or beyond the normal operating cycle, if longer.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 15
-Subparagraph (b)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3291-108585

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RepaymentsOfLongTermDebt
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash and cash equivalents restricted as to withdrawal or usage, classified as current. Cash includes, but is not limited to, currency on hand, demand deposits with banks or financial institutions, and other accounts with general characteristics of demand deposits. Cash equivalents include, but are not limited to, short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash and so near their maturity that they present insignificant risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates.

+ References

Reference 1: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (a)
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=82887183&loc=d3e6676-107765

Reference 2: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 45
-Paragraph 4
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=109223946&loc=d3e3044-108585

Reference 3: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 210
-SubTopic 10
-Section S99
-Paragraph 1
-Subparagraph (SX 210.5-02(1))
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6877327&loc=d3e13212-122682

Reference 4: http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/ref/legacyRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Accounting Standards Codification
-Topic 230
-SubTopic 10
-Section 50
-Paragraph 8
-URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=98513485&loc=SL98516268-108586

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestrictedCashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	instant

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS - Senior Unsecured Notes (Details) € in Millions, $ in Millions															1 Months Ended						12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2018 USD ($)	Nov. 27, 2018 USD ($)	Jun. 01, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 26, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 18, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2015 USD ($)	Mar. 27, 2015 EUR (€)	Jan. 30, 2015 USD ($)	Dec. 02, 2013 USD ($)	Jul. 12, 2013 USD ($)	Oct. 04, 2012 USD ($)	Mar. 08, 2011 USD ($)	Feb. 08, 2011 USD ($)	Sep. 28, 2010 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Oct. 31, 2018 USD ($)	May 31, 2018 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Aug. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2018 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016 USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 17, 2017 USD ($)	Mar. 21, 2017 USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2012
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentage due to change in control (as a percent)																					101.00%
Repayments of long-term debt																					$ 10,101	$ 14,203	$ 2,436
Loss on extinguishment of debt																					119	122	0
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt																					$ 8,944	$ 9,424	$ 1,220
Salix
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Restricted cash						$ 10,340
7.00% Senior Notes due in October 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate														7.00%
Amount borrowed														$ 700
Repurchased face amount					$ 188																				$ 431
Repayments of long-term debt																		$ 71
6.75% Senior Notes due in August 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate													6.75%
Amount borrowed													$ 650
7.25% Senior Notes due in July 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate												7.25%
Amount borrowed												$ 550
6.375% Senior Notes due in October 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate											6.375%																6.375%
Amount borrowed											$ 1,750
Repurchased face amount					1,021																				$ 569
Repayments of long-term debt																	$ 104
6.375% Senior Notes due in October 2020 1
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Amount borrowed											$ 500
6.75% Senior Notes due August 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate										6.75%
Amount borrowed										$ 1,600
7.50% Senior Notes due July 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate										7.50%
Amount borrowed										$ 1,625
Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate																										6.75%
Repurchased face amount																										$ 1,100
Loss on extinguishment of debt																				$ 37
5.625 % Senior Notes due December 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate									5.625%
Amount borrowed									$ 900
Repayments of long-term debt	$ 200
5.50% Senior Notes due March 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate								5.50%
Amount borrowed								$ 1,000
5.375% Senior Notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						5.375%
Amount borrowed						$ 2,000
Repurchased face amount					$ 291
Redemption price percentage (as a percent)						100.00%	100.00%
5.875% Senior Notes due May 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						5.875%
Amount borrowed						$ 3,250
4.50% Senior Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						4.50%
Amount borrowed \| €							€ 1,500
6.125% Senior Notes due April 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						6.125%
Amount borrowed						$ 3,250
6.125% Senior Notes due May 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate						6.125%
9.00% Senior Notes due December 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					9.00%
Amount borrowed					$ 1,500
Redemption price percentage (as a percent)					100.00%
Maximum percentage of the aggregate principal amount that may be redeemed with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings					40.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 7.00% Senior Notes due in October 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															7.00%						7.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6.75% Senior Notes due in August 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			6.75%												6.75%						6.75%
Repayments of long-term debt			$ 578
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 7.25% Senior Notes due in July 2022
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			7.25%												7.25%						7.25%
Repayments of long-term debt			$ 550
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6.375% Senior Notes due in October 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															6.375%						6.375%
Repayments of long-term debt			$ 146
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6.75% Senior Notes due August 2018
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt																			$ 500
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 7.50% Senior Notes due July 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate		7.50%													7.50%						7.50%
Repayments of long-term debt		$ 1,483													$ 17	$ 125
Loss on extinguishment of debt		$ 43
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 5.625 % Senior Notes due December 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															5.625%						5.625%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 5.50% Senior Notes due March 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															5.50%						5.50%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 5.375% Senior Notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			5.375%												5.375%						5.375%
Repayments of long-term debt			$ 691
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 5.875% Senior Notes due May 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															5.875%						5.875%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 4.50% Senior Notes Due 2023
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															4.50%						4.50%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6.125% Senior Notes due April 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															6.125%						6.125%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 9.00% Senior Notes due December 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															9.00%						9.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 9.25% Senior Notes Due April 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate															9.25%						9.25%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 8.50% Senior Notes Due January 2027
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			8.50%												8.50%						8.50%			8.50%
Redemption price percentage (as a percent)			100.00%
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt			$ 750
Maximum percentage of the aggregate principal amount that may be redeemed with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings			40.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Loss on extinguishment of debt				$ 26
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6.75% Senior Notes due in August 2021
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchased face amount				72
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 6.375% Senior Notes due in October 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate			6.375%
Repurchased face amount				411
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 5.375% Senior Notes due March 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repurchased face amount				$ 1,017
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 9.00% Senior Notes due December 2025
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate					9.00%
Senior Unsecured Notes \| 9.25% Senior Notes Due April 2026
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Stated interest rate				9.25%
Amount borrowed				$ 1,500
Redemption price percentage (as a percent)				100.00%
Maximum percentage of the aggregate principal amount that may be redeemed with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings				40.00%
Senior Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Redemption price percentage due to change in control (as a percent)																					101.00%