Document and Entity Information - USD ($)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2015	Feb. 22, 2016	Jun. 30, 2015
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	LA JOLLA PHARMACEUTICAL CO
Entity Central Index Key	0000920465
Document Type	10-K
Document Period End Date	Dec. 31, 2015
Amendment Flag	false
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		18,254,009
Entity Public Float			$ 270,367,000