v3.21.2

Cover	Jul. 21, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jul. 21, 2021
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity File Number	000-27756
Entity Registrant Name	ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000899866
Entity Tax Identification Number	85-4136092
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	121 Seaport Boulevard
Entity Address, City or Town	Boston
Entity Address, State or Province	MA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	02210
City Area Code	475
Local Phone Number	230-2596
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share
Trading Symbol	ALXN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.

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No definition available.

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Area code of city

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- Definition

Cover page.

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End date of current fiscal year in the format --MM-DD.

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No definition available.

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The end date of the period reflected on the cover page if a periodic report. For all other reports and registration statements containing historical data, it is the date up through which that historical data is presented. If there is no historical data in the report, use the filing date. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.

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No definition available.

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Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name

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No definition available.

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Name of the City or Town

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No definition available.

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Code for the postal or zip code

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No definition available.

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Name of the state or province.

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No definition available.

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A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.

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No definition available.

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Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.

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No definition available.

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The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Local phone number for entity.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Title of a 12(b) registered security.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.

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No definition available.

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- Definition

Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.

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Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
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ALEXION PHARMACEUTICALS, INC. 8-K