| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 2331301 - Disclosure - Debt Debt (Tables) (http://www.alxn.com/role/DebtDebtTables) |
| Table | (Implied) |
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000899866 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) |
| Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | Period [Axis] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Debt Disclosure [Abstract] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Schedule of Maturities of Long-term Debt | The contractual maturities of our long-term debt obligations due subsequent to December 31, 2016 are as follows:
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