Document and Entity Information	Apr. 05, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	ACADIA PHARMACEUTICALS INC
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001070494
Document Type	8-K
Document Period End Date	Apr. 05, 2021
Entity Incorporation State Country Code	DE
Entity File Number	000-50768
Entity Tax Identification Number	06-1376651
Entity Address, Address Line One	12830 El Camino Real
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 400
Entity Address, City or Town	San Diego
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	92130
City Area Code	(858)
Local Phone Number	558-2871
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre Commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre Commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false

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

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- Definition

Area code of city

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Cover page.

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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 CCYY-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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Address Line 2 such as Street or Suite number

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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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Name of the state or province.

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- Definition

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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- Definition

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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- Definition

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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- 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.

+ References

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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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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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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