2.2.0.25truefalse41501 - Disclosure - Subsequent Events (Details)truefalsefalse1falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis} : 2011 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]
{us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis} : Repayment of Debt [Member]
5/31/2011
USD ($)
$As_Of_5_31_2011_us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxis_gild_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueInTwoThousandElevenMember_us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxis_us-gaap_RepaymentOfDebtMemberhttp://www.sec.gov/CIK0000882095instant2011-05-31T00:00:000001-01-01T00:00:00falsefalse2011 Convertible Senior Notes [Member]us-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldigild_ConvertibleSeniorNotesDueInTwoThousandElevenMemberus-gaap_LongtermDebtTypeAxisexplicitMemberfalsefalseRepayment of Debt [Member]us-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxisxbrldihttp://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldius-gaap_RepaymentOfDebtMemberus-gaap_SubsequentEventTypeAxisexplicitMemberUnit12Standardhttp://www.xbrl.org/2003/iso4217USDiso42170USDUSD$2falsefalseUSDtruefalse{us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis} : Calistoga Pharmaceuticals, Inc. [Member]
2/1/2011 - 2/28/2011
USD ($)
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 68
-Subparagraph f(1)
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141
-Paragraph 51
-Subparagraph d
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-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 23, 24, 25
Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher FASB
-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)
-Number 141R
-Paragraph 72
-Subparagraph b(2)
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-Publisher AICPA
-Name Accounting Principles Board Opinion (APB)
-Number 21
-Paragraph 16, 20
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