| Component: (Network and Table) | |
|---|---|
| Network | 00500 - Statement - CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW (http://www.vivus.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlow)  | 
| Table | (Implied) | 
| Reporting Entity [Axis] | 0000881524 (http://www.sec.gov/CIK) | 
| CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | Period [Axis] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
2016-01-01 - 2016-12-31  | 2015-01-01 - 2015-12-31  | 2014-01-01 - 2014-12-31  | |
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS  | |||
Cash flows from operating activities:  | |||
Net loss  | 23,302,000    | (93,107,000)   | (82,647,000)   | 
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used for operating activities:  | |||
Depreciation and amortization  | |||
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discounts  | |||
Amortization of discount or premium on available-for-sale securities  | |||
Share-based compensation expense  | |||
Loss on disposal of property and equipment  | |||
Inventory impairment charge  | |||
Changes in assets and liabilities:  | |||
Accounts receivable  | (  | ||
Inventories  | (  | (  | |
Prepaid expenses and other assets  | |||
Accounts payable  | (  | (  | (  | 
Accrued and other liabilities  | (  | (  | (  | 
Deferred revenue  | (  | ||
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities  | (  | (  | |
Cash flows from investing activities:  | |||
Property and equipment purchases  | (  | (  | (  | 
Purchases of available-for-sale securities  | (  | (  | (  | 
Proceeds from maturity of available-for-sale securities  | |||
Proceeds from sale of Available-for-sale Securities  | |||
Non-current assets  | (  | ||
Net cash (used for) provided by investing activities  | (  | ||
Cash flows from financing activities:  | |||
Repayments of noted payable  | (  | (  | |
Net proceeds from exercise of common stock options  | |||
Sale of common stock through employee stock purchase plan  | |||
Net cash (used for) provided by financing activities  | (  | (  | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents  | (  | (  | |
Cash and cash equivalents:  | |||
Beginning of period  | 95,395,000    | ||
End of period  | 84,783,000    | 95,395,000    | 83,174,000    | 
Supplemental cash flow disclosure:  | |||
Interest paid  | |||
Income taxes paid  | |||
Non-cash investing activities:  | |||
Unrealized loss on securities  | (  | (  | (  |