v3.8.0.1

Note 8 - Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties - Activity of Liability Related to Sale of Future Royalties (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands | 1 Months Ended | 12 Months Ended | 27 Months Ended
--- | --- | --- | ---
Sep. 30, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2017 | Dec. 31, 2016 | Dec. 31, 2015 | Dec. 31, 2017
Liability related to sale of future royalties — beginning balance |  | $ 72,987 |  |  |
Proceeds from sale of future royalties | $ 61,200 |  |  | $ 61,184 | 61,184
Non-cash royalty revenue |  | (120) |  |  | (127)
Non-cash interest expense recognized |  | 10,721 | 9,382 | $ 2,428 | 22,531
Liability related to sale of future royalties as of December 31, 2017 |  | 83,588 | 72,987 |  | 83,588
Less: current portion |  | (604) | (764) |  | (604)
Liability related to sale of future royalties — net of current portion |  | $ 82,984 | $ 72,223 |  | $ 82,984

X
- Definition Net proceeds from sale of future royalties. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | acrx_NetProceedsFromSaleOfFutureRoyalties
Namespace Prefix: | acrx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of non-cash interest expense recognized. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | acrx_NoncashInterestExpenseRecognized
Namespace Prefix: | acrx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | debit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition The amount of non-cash royalty revenue recognized in connection to royalty monetization that has been realized. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | acrx_NoncashRoyaltyRevenueRelatedToRoyaltyMonetizationRealized
Namespace Prefix: | acrx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | duration

X
- Definition Total liability related to sale of future royalties current and non-current. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | acrx_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLiabilities
Namespace Prefix: | acrx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The current portion of liability related to sale of future royalties. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | acrx_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLiabilityCurrent
Namespace Prefix: | acrx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant

X
- Definition The amount of liability related to sale of future royalties less current portion. + References No definition available. + Details
Name: | acrx_SaleOfFutureRoyaltiesLiabilityNoncurrent
Namespace Prefix: | acrx_
Data Type: | xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type: | credit
Period Type: | instant