v3.8.0.1

Note 17 - Related Party Transactions (Details Textual) $ in Millions | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
Royalty Monetization [Member] | Dr. Hoffman [Member] |
Related Party Transaction, Amounts of Transaction | $ 0.3

X
- Definition Amount of transactions with related party during the financial reporting period. + References Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 3 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39603-107864 Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 1 -Subparagraph (c) -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39549-107864 Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef -Publisher FASB -Name Accounting Standards Codification -Topic 850 -SubTopic 10 -Section 50 -Paragraph 4 -URI http://asc.fasb.org/extlink&oid=6457730&loc=d3e39622-107864 + Details
Name: | us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAmountsOfTransaction
Namespace Prefix: | us-gaap_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionAxis=acrx_RoyaltyMonetizationMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |

X
- Details
Name: | us-gaap_RelatedPartyTransactionsByRelatedPartyAxis=acrx_DrHoffmanMember
Namespace Prefix: |
Data Type: | na
Balance Type: |
Period Type: |