AbbVie (ABBV) 10-Q 9 May 14 2014 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Document and Entity Information	'
Entity Registrant Name	'AbbVie Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	'0001551152
Document Type	'10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-14
Amendment Flag	'false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	'Yes
Entity Filer Category	'Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	1,590,066,459
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q1

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited)	'		'
Net sales	$4,563		$4,329
Cost of products sold	1,100		1,153
Selling, general and administrative	1,340		1,237
Research and development	772		634
Total operating costs and expenses	3,212		3,024
Operating earnings	1,351		1,305
Interest expense, net	65		66
Net foreign exchange loss	3		15
Other income, net	-3		-15
Earnings before income tax expense	1,286		1,239
Income tax expense	306		271
Net earnings	$980		$968
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.61		$0.61
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$0.61		$0.60
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$0.42	[1]	$0.80	[1]
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	1,595		1,588
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	1,609		1,605
[1]	On January 4, 2013, the board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock. This dividend was declared from pre-separation earnings and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. In addition, AbbVie declared a regular cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock during the first quarter of 2013. Refer to Note 8 for information regarding cash dividends declared and paid during the first quarters of 2014 and 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2013
Regular quarterly cash dividends (in dollars per share)	$0.40
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$0.80	[1]
[1]	On January 4, 2013, the board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock. This dividend was declared from pre-separation earnings and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. In addition, AbbVie declared a regular cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock during the first quarter of 2013. Refer to Note 8 for information regarding cash dividends declared and paid during the first quarters of 2014 and 2013.

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)	'	'
Net earnings	$980	$968
Foreign currency translation adjustments	-29	-232
Pension and post-employment benefits, net of tax expense of $4 and $9 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	12	19
Unrealized losses on marketable equity securities	'	-1
Hedging activities, net of tax expense of $2 and $2 for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively	33	9
Other comprehensive income (loss)	16	-205
Comprehensive income	$996	$763

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited) (Parenthetical) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (unaudited)	'	'
Pension and post-employment benefits, tax expense	$4	$9
Hedging activities, tax expense	$2	$2

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Current assets	'	'
Cash and equivalents	$8,140	$9,595
Short-term investments	960	300
Accounts and other receivables, net	3,650	3,854
Inventories, net	1,104	1,150
Income tax receivable	940	949
Deferred income taxes	1,075	766
Prepaid expenses and other	1,460	1,234
Total current assets	17,329	17,848
Investments	119	118
Property and equipment, net	2,333	2,298
Intangible assets, net of amortization	1,802	1,890
Goodwill	6,271	6,277
Other assets	803	767
Total assets	28,657	29,198
Current liabilities	'	'
Short-term borrowings	2	413
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18	18
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	6,196	6,448
Total current liabilities	6,216	6,879
Long-term liabilities	3,358	3,535
Long-term debt and lease obligations	14,386	14,292
Commitments and contingencies	'	'
Stockholders' equity	'	'
Common stock, $0.01 par value, authorized 4,000,000,000 shares, issued 1,603,660,660 and 1,594,260,996 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	16	16
Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 13,594,201 and 6,900,434 shares in 2014 and 2013, respectively	-672	-320
Additional paid-in-capital	3,905	3,671
Retained earnings	1,874	1,567
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-426	-442
Total stockholders' equity	4,697	4,492
Total liabilities and equity	$28,657	$29,198

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets	'	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, authorized (in shares)	4,000,000,000	4,000,000,000
Common stock, issued (in shares)	1,603,660,660	1,594,260,996
Common stock held in treasury (in shares)	13,594,201	6,900,434

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Cash flows from operating activities	'	'
Net earnings	$980	$968
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	89	92
Amortization of intangible assets	110	135
Stock-based compensation	106	87
Other, net	-47	14
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:	'	'
Accounts and other receivables	167	57
Inventories	50	11
Prepaid expenses and other assets	-219	29
Accounts payable and other liabilities	-612	-206
Cash flows from operating activities	624	1,187
Cash flows from investing activities	'	'
Acquisitions of property and equipment	-137	-88
Purchases of investment securities	-660	'
Sales and maturities of investment securities	'	1,575
Cash flows from investing activities	-797	1,487
Cash flows from financing activities	'	'
Net change in short-term borrowings	-410	-601
Dividends paid	-641	-636
Purchases of treasury stock	-329	-97
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	85	91
Net transactions with Abbott Laboratories, excluding noncash items	'	-242
Other, net	18	-97
Cash flows from financing activities	-1,277	-1,582
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	-5	-14
Net (decrease) increase in cash and equivalents	-1,455	1,078
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period	9,595	5,901
Cash and equivalents, end of period	$8,140	$6,979

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen

Background and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Background and Basis of Presentation	'
Background and Basis of Presentation	'
	Note 1    Background and Basis of Presentation
	Background
	The principal business of AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie or the company) is the discovery, development, manufacture and sale of a broad line of pharmaceutical products. Substantially all of AbbVie’s sales in the United States are to three wholesalers. Outside the U.S., products are sold primarily to health care providers or through distributors, depending on the market served.
	On January 1, 2013, AbbVie became an independent publicly-traded company as a result of the distribution by Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) of 100 percent of the outstanding common stock of AbbVie to Abbott’s shareholders (the separation). On January 1, 2013, Abbott’s shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 12, 2012 received one share of AbbVie common stock for every one share of Abbott common stock held as of the record date. AbbVie’s common stock began trading “regular-way” under the ticker symbol “ABBV” on the New York Stock Exchange on January 2, 2013.
	In connection with the separation, AbbVie and Abbott entered into transition services agreements covering certain corporate support and back office services that AbbVie has historically received from Abbott. Such services include information technology, accounts payable, payroll, receivables collection, treasury and other financial functions, as well as order entry, warehousing, engineering support, quality assurance support and other administrative services. These agreements facilitate the separation by allowing AbbVie to operate independently prior to establishing stand-alone back office functions across its organization. Transition services may be provided for up to 24 months post-separation, with an option for a one-year extension.
	During the first three months of 2014 and 2013, AbbVie incurred $80 million and $34 million of separation-related expenses, including legal, information technology and regulatory fees, which were principally classified in selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A).
	Basis of Presentation
	The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of AbbVie have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (U.S. GAAP) have been omitted. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the company’s audited consolidated financial statements and notes included in the company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.
	It is management’s opinion that these financial statements include all normal and recurring adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the company’s financial position and operating results. Net sales and net earnings for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results.
	For a certain portion of AbbVie’s operations, the legal transfer of AbbVie’s assets (net of liabilities) did not occur with the separation of AbbVie on January 1, 2013 due to the time required to transfer marketing authorizations and satisfy other regulatory requirements in certain countries. Under the terms of the separation agreement with Abbott, AbbVie is responsible for the business activities conducted by Abbott on its behalf, and is subject to the risks and entitled to the benefits generated by these operations and assets. As a result, the related assets and liabilities and results of operations have been reported in AbbVie’s condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Net sales related to these operations for the three months ended March 31, 2014 totaled approximately $67 million. At March 31, 2014, the assets and liabilities consisted primarily of accounts receivable of $68 million, inventories of $47 million, other assets of $63 million, and accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $129 million. At December 31, 2013, the assets and liabilities consisted primarily of accounts receivable of $62 million, inventories of $190 million, other assets of $93 million and accounts payable and other accrued liabilities of $212 million. The majority of these operations are expected to be transferred to AbbVie by the end of 2015.
	As of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, the aggregate amount due from Abbott totaled $540 million and $738 million, respectively, and was classified in accounts and other receivables, net, in the company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The aggregate amount due to Abbott totaled $517 million and $876 million as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and was classified in accounts payable and accrued liabilities in the company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Supplemental_Financial_Informa

Supplemental Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information	'
Supplemental Financial Information	'
	Note 2    Supplemental Financial Information
	Interest Expense, Net
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(in millions)	2014		2013
	Interest expense	$70		$72
	Interest income	-5		-6
	Interest expense, net	$65		$66
	Inventories
	(in millions)	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$  424		$485
	Work-in-process	439		404
	Raw materials	241		261
	Inventories, net	$1,104		$1,150
	Property and Equipment, Net
	(in millions)	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Property and equipment, gross	$7,016		$6,909
	Less accumulated depreciation	(4,683	)	(4,611	)
	Property and equipment, net	$2,333		$2,298
	Depreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $89 million and $92 million, respectively.

Earnings_Per_Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Earnings Per Share	'
Earnings Per Share	'
	Note 3    Earnings Per Share
	AbbVie calculates earnings per share (EPS) using the more dilutive of the treasury stock or the two-class method. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, the two-class method was more dilutive. As such, the dilutive effect of outstanding restricted stock units (RSUs) and restricted stock awards (RSAs) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 of approximately 4 million shares was excluded from the denominator for the calculation of diluted EPS. These awards otherwise would have been included in the calculation of EPS under the treasury stock method. Additionally, all earnings (distributed and undistributed) allocable to participating securities, including performance-based awards not otherwise included in the calculation of EPS under the treasury stock method, was excluded from the numerator for the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share under the two-class method. Earnings allocable to participating securities for the three months ended March 31, 2014 was $4 million.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2014, approximately 1 million common shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans were excluded from the computation of earnings per common share assuming dilution because the effect would have been antidilutive.
	For the three months ended March 31, 2013, AbbVie determined the treasury stock method to be more dilutive. As a result, the dilutive effect of outstanding stock options as well as the dilutive effect of outstanding RSUs and RSAs of approximately 6 million shares were reflected in the denominator for the calculation of diluted EPS for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
	Note 4    Goodwill and Intangible Assets
	Goodwill
	The carrying amount of goodwill was $6,271 million and $6,277 million at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively. Changes in the goodwill balance were due to foreign currency translation. As of March 31, 2014, there were no accumulated goodwill impairment losses. Future impairment tests for goodwill will be performed annually in the third quarter, or earlier if indicators of impairment exist.
	Intangible Assets, Net
	The following table summarizes AbbVie’s intangible assets.
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Gross	Accumulated	Net	Gross	Accumulated		Net
		carrying	amortization	carrying	carrying	amortization		carrying
		amount		amount	amount			amount
	Definite-lived intangible assets
	Developed product rights	$4,742	($3,593)	$1,149	$4,744	$(3,503	)	$1,241
	License agreements	1,017	-811	206	994	(792	)	202
	Total definite-lived intangible assets	5,759	-4,404	1,355	5,738	(4,295	)	1,443
	Indefinite-lived research and development	447	—	447	447	—		447
	Total intangible assets	$6,206	($4,404)	$1,802	$6,185	$(4,295	)	$1,890
	Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Amortization expense was $110 million and $135 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and is included in cost of products sold in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
	The indefinite-lived intangible assets represent acquired IPR&D associated with products that have not yet received regulatory approval. There were no impairment charges recorded in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. Future impairment tests for indefinite-lived intangible assets will be performed annually in the third quarter, or earlier if indicators of impairment exist.

Restructuring_Plans

Restructuring Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Plans	'
Restructuring Plans	'
	Note 5    Restructuring Plans
	In 2013, AbbVie management approved plans to restructure certain commercial operations in conjunction with the loss and expected loss of exclusivity of certain products. Restructuring charges related to these plans were $2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and were primarily recorded in SG&A in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings.
	In 2012 and prior years, AbbVie management approved plans to realign its worldwide manufacturing operations and selected domestic and international commercial and research and development (R&D) operations in order to reduce costs. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, AbbVie incurred restructuring charges of approximately $9 million for employee severance and contractual obligations, with $7 million classified in cost of products sold and $2 million as SG&A expenses.
	The following summarizes the cash activity in the restructuring reserve for the first three months of 2014.
	(in millions)
	Accrued balance at December 31, 2013	$191
	2014 restructuring charges	2
	Payments and other adjustments	-23
	Accrued balance at March 31, 2014	$170

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures	'
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures	'
	Note 6    Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures
	Risk Management Policy
	The company is exposed to foreign currency exchange rate and interest rate risks related to its business operations. The company’s hedging policy attempts to manage these risks to an acceptable level based on the company’s judgment of the appropriate trade-off between risk, opportunity and costs. The company uses derivative instruments to reduce its exposure to foreign currency exchange rates. The company is also exposed to the risk that its earnings and cash flows could be adversely impacted by fluctuations in interest rates. The company periodically enters into interest rate swaps, based on judgment, to manage interest costs in which the company agrees to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional amount. Derivative instruments are not used for trading purposes or to manage exposure to changes in interest rates for investment securities, and none of the company’s outstanding derivative instruments contain credit risk related contingent features; collateral is generally not required.
	Financial Instruments
	Various AbbVie foreign subsidiaries enter into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage exposures to changes in foreign exchange rates for anticipated intercompany transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the local entity. These contracts, with notional amounts totaling $2.7 billion and $1.5 billion at March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, are designated as cash flow hedges and are recorded at fair value. Accumulated gains and losses as of March 31, 2014 will be included in cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally not exceeding twelve months.
	The company enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currency denominated trade payables and receivables and intercompany loans. The contracts are marked-to-market, and resulting gains or losses are reflected in income and are generally offset by losses or gains on the foreign currency exposure being managed. At March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, AbbVie held notional amounts of $6.3 billion and $5.3 billion, respectively, of such foreign currency forward exchange contracts.
	AbbVie is a party to interest rate hedge contracts, designated as fair value hedges, totaling $8.0 billion at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013. The effect of the hedge is to change a fixed-rate interest obligation to a floating rate for that portion of the debt. AbbVie recorded the contracts at fair value and adjusted the carrying amount of the fixed-rate debt by an offsetting amount.
	The following table summarizes the amounts and location of AbbVie’s derivative instruments as of March 31, 2014.
		Derivatives in asset position					Derivatives in liability position
	(in millions)	Fair value		Balance sheet caption			Fair value		Balance sheet caption
	Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges	$—		n/a			$346		Long-term liabilities
	Foreign currency forward exchange contracts —
	Hedging instruments	17		Prepaid expenses and other			36		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Others not designated as hedges	25		Prepaid expenses and other			35		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Total	$42					$417
	The following table summarizes the amounts and location of AbbVie’s derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013.
		Derivatives in asset position					Derivatives in liability position
	(in millions)	Fair value		Balance sheet caption			Fair value		Balance sheet caption
	Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges	$—		n/a			$432		Long-term liabilities
	Foreign currency forward exchange contracts —
	Hedging instruments	—		Prepaid expenses and other			61		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Others not designated as hedges	17		Prepaid expenses and other			12		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Total	$17					$505
	While certain derivatives are subject to netting arrangements with the company’s counterparties, the company does not offset derivative assets and liabilities within the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
	The following table summarizes the activity for derivative instruments and the amounts and location of income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into income and for certain other derivative instruments for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was not significant for the three months ended March 31, 2014 or 2013.
		(Loss) gain				Income (expense)
		recognized in other				and gain (loss)
		comprehensive				reclassified into or
		(loss) income				recorded in net income
	(in millions)	2014		2013		2014		2013		Income statement caption
	Foreign currency forward exchange contracts —
	Designated as cash flow hedges	$21		$9		($12)		$—		Cost of products sold
	Not designated as hedges	n/a		n/a		-1		-9		Net foreign exchange loss
	Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges	n/a		n/a		86		-40		Interest expense, net
	The gain/(loss) related to fair value hedges is recognized in net interest expense and directly offsets the (loss)/gain on the underlying hedged item, the fixed-rate debt, resulting in no net impact to net interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013.
	Fair Value Measures
	The fair value hierarchy under the accounting standard for fair value measurements consists of the following three levels.
	·                  Level 1 – Valuations based on unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets that the company has the ability to access;
	·                  Level 2 – Valuations based on quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active, and model-based valuations in which all significant inputs are observable in the market; and
	·                  Level 3 – Valuations using significant inputs that are unobservable in the market and include the use of judgment by the company’s management about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
	The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2014.
				Basis of fair value measurement
	(in millions)	Balance at		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		March 31, 2014		active markets for		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
				identical assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Assets
	Cash and equivalents	$8,140		$618		$7,522		$—
	Time deposits	960		—		960		—
	Equity securities	12		12		—		—
	Foreign currency contracts	42		—		42		—
	Total assets	$9,154		$630		$8,524		$—
	Liabilities
	Interest rate hedges	$346		$—		$346		$—
	Foreign currency contracts	71		—		71		—
	Contingent consideration	27		—		—		27
	Total liabilities	$444		$—		$417		$27
	The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2013.
				Basis of fair value measurement
	(in millions)	Balance at		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		December 31, 2013		active markets for		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
				identical assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
Assets
Cash and equivalents	$9,595		$684		$8,911		$—
Time deposits	300		—		300		—
Equity securities	10		10		—		—
Foreign currency contracts	17		—		17		—
Total assets	$9,922		$694		$9,228		$—
Liabilities
Interest rate hedges	$432		$—		$432		$—
Foreign currency contracts	73		—		73		—
Contingent consideration	165		—		—		165
Total liabilities	$670		$—		$505		$165
The fair values for time deposits included in cash and equivalents and short-term investments are determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis reflecting quoted market rates for the same or similar instruments. The fair values of time deposits approximate their amortized cost due to the short maturities of these instruments. Available-for-sale equity securities consists of investments for which the fair value is determined by using the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held, without consideration of transaction costs. The derivatives entered into by the company are valued using publicized spot curves for interest rate hedges and publicized forward curves for foreign currency contracts. The contingent consideration is valued using a discounted cash flow technique that reflects management’s expectations about probability of payment.
Cumulative unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale equity securities totaled $2 million at both March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively.
There have been no transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value measurement levels. The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which consist of contingent payments related to acquisitions and investments.
(in millions)
Fair value as of December 31, 2013	$165
Payments	(137	)
Change in fair value recognized in net foreign exchange loss	(1	)
Fair value as of March 31, 2014	$27
In connection with the acquisition of Solvay’s U.S. pharmaceuticals business in 2010, the achievement of a certain sales milestone resulted in a payment of approximately $137 million in the first quarter of 2014 for which a liability was previously established.
In addition to the financial instruments that the company is required to recognize at fair value on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, the company has certain financial instruments that are recognized at historical cost or some basis other than fair value. The carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are shown in the table below.
	Book values				Approximate fair values
(in millions)	March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
	2014		2013		2014		2013
Assets
Investments	$107		$108		$144		$129
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	2		413		2		413
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18		18		18		18
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,732		14,724		14,696		14,493
The following table summarizes the bases used to measure the approximate fair values of the financial instruments as of March 31, 2014.
				Basis of fair value measurement
(in millions)	Fair value at			Quoted prices in active		Significant		Significant
	March 31, 2014			markets for identical		other observable		unobservable
				assets		inputs		inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets
Investments	$144			$54		$31		$59
Total assets	$144			$54		$31		$59
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	$2			$—		$2		$—
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18			—		18		—
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,696			14,609		87		—
Total liabilities	$14,716			$14,609		$107		$—
The following table summarizes the bases used to measure the approximate fair values of the financial instruments as of December 31, 2013.
				Basis of fair value measurement
(in millions)	Fair value at			Quoted prices in active		Significant		Significant
	December 31,			markets for identical		other observable		unobservable
	2013			assets		inputs		inputs
				(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
Assets
Investments	$129			$39		$30		$60
Total assets	$129			$39		$30		$60
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	$413			$—		$413		$—
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18			—		18		—
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,493			14,413		80		—
Total liabilities	$14,924			$14,413		$511		$—
Investments consist of cost method investments and held-to-maturity debt securities. Cost method investments include certain investments for which the fair value is determined by using the published market price per unit multiplied by the number of units held, without consideration of transaction costs. To determine the fair value of other cost method investments, the company takes into consideration recent transactions, as well as the financial information of the investee, which represents a Level 3 basis of fair value measurement. The fair value of held-to-maturity debt securities was estimated based upon the quoted market prices for the same or similar debt instruments. The fair values of short-term and current borrowings approximate the carrying values due to the short maturities of these instruments.
The fair value of long-term debt, excluding fair value hedges, was determined by using the published market price for the debt instruments, without consideration of transaction costs, which represents a Level 1 basis of fair value measurement. The counterparties to financial instruments consist of select major international financial institutions.
Concentrations of Risk
The company invests excess cash in time deposits, money market funds and U.S. Treasury securities and diversifies the concentration of cash among different financial institutions. The company monitors concentrations of credit risk associated with deposits with financial institutions. Credit exposure limits have been established to limit a concentration with any single issuer or institution.
Three U.S. wholesalers accounted for 34 percent and 38 percent of total net accounts receivable as of March 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013, respectively, and substantially all of AbbVie’s U.S. sales are to these three wholesalers. In addition, net governmental receivables outstanding in Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain totaled $566 million at March 31, 2014 and $781 million at December 31, 2013.
HUMIRA is AbbVie’s single largest product and accounted for approximately 58 percent and 52 percent of AbbVie’s total net sales in the first three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Short-Term Borrowings
At December 31, 2013, short-term borrowings included $400 million of commercial paper borrowings. No commercial paper balances were outstanding as of March 31, 2014. The weighted-average interest rate on the commercial paper was 0.2% for the three months ended March 31, 2014. No borrowings were outstanding under the $2.0 billion unsecured bank credit facility as of March 31, 2014.

PostEmployment_Benefits

Post-Employment Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Post-Employment Benefits	'
Post-Employment Benefits	'
	Note 7            Post-Employment Benefits
	The following is the summary of net periodic benefit cost relating to the company’s defined benefit and other post-employment plans.
		Defined			Other post-
		benefit plans			employment plans
	for the three months ended March 31 (in millions)	2014		2013	2014	2013
	Service cost	$43		$47	$5	$6
	Interest cost	55		48	6	6
	Expected return on plan assets	(75	)	-66	—	—
	Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs	17		28	-1	—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$40		$57	$10	$12
	AbbVie made voluntary contributions of $370 million in the first quarter of 2014 and $145 million in the first quarter of 2013 to its main domestic defined benefit pension plan.

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity	'
Equity	'
	Note 8            Equity
	Stock-Based Compensation
	Stock-based compensation expense was $106 million and $87 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2014, $68 million of stock-based compensation expense was classified in SG&A, $34 million in R&D and $4 million in cost of products sold. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, $57 million of stock-based compensation expense was classified in SG&A, $25 million in R&D and $5 million in cost of products sold.
	Prior to separation, AbbVie employees participated in Abbott’s incentive stock program. The AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program, adopted at the time of separation, facilitated the assumption of certain awards granted under Abbott’s incentive stock program and authorizes the post-separation grant of several different forms of benefits, including nonqualified stock options, RSAs, RSUs and performance-based RSAs and RSUs.
	In connection with the separation, outstanding Abbott employee stock options, RSAs and RSUs previously issued under Abbott’s incentive stock program were adjusted and converted into new Abbott and AbbVie stock-based awards using a formula designed to preserve the intrinsic value and fair value of the awards immediately prior to the separation. Upon the separation on January 1, 2013, holders of Abbott stock options, RSAs and RSUs generally received one AbbVie stock-based award for each Abbott stock-based award outstanding. These adjusted awards retained the vesting schedule and expiration date of the original awards. No awards have been granted to Abbott employees other than in connection with the separation.
	Stock Options
	AbbVie determines the fair value of stock options using the Black-Scholes model. The assumptions used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, along with the grant-date fair value, were as follows.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Risk-free interest rate	1.90%		1.10%
	Average life of options (years)	6		6
	Volatility	27.01%		32.63%
	Dividend yield	3.20%		4.30%
	Fair value per stock option	$9.83		$6.87
	The following table summarizes AbbVie stock option activity for both AbbVie and Abbott employees for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	(options in thousands, aggregate intrinsic value in millions)	Options		Weighted-	Weighted-	Aggregate
				average	average	intrinsic value
				exercise price	remaining life (in
					years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	35,994		$27.48
	Granted	1,035		51.92
	Exercised	(3,274	)	28.86
	Lapsed	(49	)	23.89
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	33,706		28.1	3.8	$786
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	30,967		$27.02	3.3	$756
	The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the exercise price and the company’s closing stock price on the last day of trading for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $72 million and $42 million, respectively.
	As of March 31, 2014, $5 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately the next two years.
	RSAs & RSUs
	The following table summarizes AbbVie RSA and RSU activity (including performance-based awards) for both AbbVie and Abbott employees for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	(share units in thousands)	Share units		Weighted-average
				grant date fair value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	14,910		$32.07
	Granted	4,482		51.23
	Vested	(6,193	)	29.05
	Lapsed	(124	)	32.71
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	13,075		$ 40.04
	Unvested shares at March 31, 2014	12,771		$ 40.23
	The fair value of RSAs and RSUs (including performance-based awards) is determined based on the number of shares granted and the quoted price of the company’s common stock on the date of the grant. The fair market value of RSAs and RSUs vested in the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 was $314 million and $267 million, respectively. As of March 31, 2014, $280 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSAs and RSUs is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately the next two years.
	Cash Dividends
	On February 20, 2014, the board of directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.42 per share, which represented an increase of 5 percent over the previous quarterly rate of $0.40 per share. The dividend is payable May 15, 2014 to stockholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2014. Additionally, the quarterly cash dividend declared by the board of directors on December 12, 2013 of $0.40 per share of common stock for stockholders of record on January 15, 2014 was paid on February 14, 2014.
	On January 4 and February 15, 2013, the board of directors declared quarterly cash dividends of $0.40 per share of common stock, which were paid on February 15 and May 15, 2013, respectively. The cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock declared on January 4, 2013 was declared from pre-separation earnings and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital.
	Stock Repurchase Program
	On February 15, 2013, AbbVie’s board of directors authorized a $1.5 billion stock repurchase program. Purchases of AbbVie shares may be made from time to time at management’s discretion depending on the company’s cash flows, net debt level and market conditions. The plan has no time limit and can be discontinued at any time. During the three months ended March 31, 2014, AbbVie repurchased approximately 5 million shares for $250 million in the open market. Shares repurchased under this program are recorded at acquisition cost, including related expenses, and are available for general corporate purposes. AbbVie’s remaining share repurchase authorization is $1.0 billion as of March 31, 2014. There were no share repurchases in the first quarter of 2013.
	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
	The following table summarizes the changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	(in millions) (brackets denote losses)	Foreign		Pension and	Unrealized	Gains (losses)	Total
		currency		post-	gains (losses) on	on hedging
		translation		employment	marketable	activities
		adjustments		benefits	equity securities
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$470		($827)	$2	($87)	($442)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-29		—	—	21	-8
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—		12	—	12	24
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	-29		12	—	33	16
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$441		($815)	$2	($54)	($426)
	The table below presents the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three months ended March 31, 2014.
	Type of reclassification (brackets denote loss)	Amount reclassified from		Affected line item in the
		accumulated other comprehensive		condensed consolidated
		loss (in millions)		statement of earnings
	Pension and post-employment benefits
	Amortization of actuarial losses and other	16		(a)
	Tax expense	-4
	Total reclassification for the three months ended March 31, 2014, net of tax	$12
(a) Components are included in computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 7 for details)

Income_Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Income Taxes	'
Income Taxes	'
	Note 9    Income Taxes
	The effective income tax rates were 23.8 percent and 21.9 percent in the first quarters of 2014 and 2013, respectively. The effective tax rates in both periods were less than the statutory federal income tax rate of 35 percent primarily due to the benefit of lower income tax rates in locations outside the United States and tax exemptions and incentives in Puerto Rico and other foreign tax jurisdictions. The increase in the effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2014 over the prior year was principally due to changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings.
	It is reasonably possible during the next twelve months that uncertain tax positions may be settled, and the gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change up to $22 million. AbbVie and Abbott entered into a tax sharing agreement effective on the date of separation. For tax contingencies prior to the separation, Abbott will indemnify and hold AbbVie harmless if the tax positions are settled for amounts in excess of recorded liabilities, and AbbVie will not benefit if prior tax positions are resolved more favorably than recorded amounts.

Legal_Proceedings_and_Continge

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	'
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	'
	Note 10  Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
	Subject to certain exceptions specified in the separation agreement, AbbVie assumed the liability for, and control of, all pending and threatened legal matters related to its business, including liabilities for any claims or legal proceedings related to products that had been part of its business but were discontinued prior to the distribution, as well as assumed or retained liabilities, and will indemnify Abbott for any liability arising out of or resulting from such assumed legal matters. AbbVie is involved in various claims, legal proceedings and investigations, including those described below. The recorded accrual balance for litigation at March 31, 2014 was not significant. Within the next year, other legal proceedings may occur that may result in a change in the estimated loss accrued by AbbVie. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of all other proceedings and exposures with certainty, management believes that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on AbbVie’s consolidated financial position, cash flows, or results of operations.
	Lawsuits have been filed against AbbVie and others generally alleging that the 2005 patent litigation settlement involving Niaspan® entered into between Kos Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a company acquired by Abbott Laboratories in 2006 and presently a subsidiary of AbbVie) and a generic company violates federal and state antitrust laws and state unfair and deceptive trade practices and unjust enrichment laws. Plaintiffs generally seek monetary damages and/or injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. In September 2013, all of these pending putative class action lawsuits were centralized for consolidated or coordinated pre-trial proceedings in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under the Multi-District Litigation Rules as In re Niaspan Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2460.
	In August 2013, a putative class action lawsuit, Sidney Hillman Health Center of Rochester, et al. v. AbbVie Inc., et al., was filed against AbbVie in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois by three healthcare benefit providers alleging violations of federal RICO statutes and state deceptive business practice and unjust enrichment laws in connection with reimbursements for certain uses of Depakote from 1998 to 2012. Plaintiffs seek monetary damages and/or equitable relief and attorneys’ fees.
	Several pending lawsuits filed against Unimed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (a company Abbott acquired in February 2010 and now known as AbbVie Products LLC) and others were consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia under the Multi District Litigation Rules as In re AndroGel Antitrust Litigation, MDL No. 2084. These cases, brought by private plaintiffs and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), generally allege Solvay’s 2006 patent litigation involving AndroGel was sham litigation and the patent litigation settlement agreement and related agreements with three generic companies violate federal and state antitrust laws and state consumer protection and unjust enrichment laws. Plaintiffs generally seek monetary damages and/or injunctive relief and attorneys’ fees. MDL 2084 includes: (a) three individual plaintiff lawsuits; (b) seven purported class actions; and (c) Federal Trade Commission v. Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. et al., filed in May 2009 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia. Following the district court’s dismissal of all plaintiffs’ claims, the FTC’s appeal led to its claim regarding the patent litigation settlement being reinstated. In February 2014, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit remanded the private plaintiffs’ claims regarding the patent litigation settlement, which are proceeding with the FTC’s in discovery in the district court.
	AbbVie is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to testosterone gel (a drug AbbVie sells under the trademark AndroGel® 1.62%). In a case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in February 2013, AbbVie alleges that Perrigo Company’s and Perrigo Israel Pharmaceutical Ltd.’s proposed generic product infringes AbbVie patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. In a second case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in March 2013, AbbVie alleges that Watson Laboratories Inc.’s and Actavis Inc.’s proposed generic product infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
	AbbVie is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to ritonavir/lopinavir tablets (a drug AbbVie sells under the trademark Kaletra®). In a case filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in March 2009, AbbVie alleges that Matrix Laboratories, Inc.’s, Matrix Laboratories, Ltd.’s, and Mylan, Inc.’s proposed generic products infringe AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. Upon Matrix’s motion in November 2009, the court granted a five-year stay of the litigation unless good cause to lift the stay is shown.
	AbbVie is seeking to enforce its patent rights relating to ritonavir tablets (a drug AbbVie sells under the trademark Norvir®). In a case pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio since April 2012, AbbVie alleges that Roxane Laboratories, Inc.’s (Roxane) proposed generic product infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. In another case filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio in July 2013, AbbVie alleges that Roxane’s proposed generic ritonavir product infringes additional AbbVie patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief on these additional patents. In a separate case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware in May 2013, AbbVie alleges that Hetero USA Inc.’s and Hetero Labs Limited’s proposed generic ritonavir tablets product infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks declaratory and injunctive relief.
	AbbVie is seeking to enforce certain patent rights that cover the use of fully human anti-TNF alpha antibodies with methotrexate to treat rheumatoid arthritis. In a case filed in the United States District Court for the District of Massachusetts in May 2009, AbbVie alleges Centocor Ortho Biotech, Inc.’s (now Janssen Biotech, Inc.’s) product Simponi® infringes AbbVie’s patents and seeks damages and injunctive relief.
	In November 2007, GlaxoSmithKline filed a lawsuit against Abbott Laboratories in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that Abbott violated antitrust laws in connection with the 2003 Norvir re-pricing. In March 2011, a jury found that Abbott did not violate antitrust laws, but breached its license agreement with the plaintiff. In January 2014, a 3-judge panel of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit reversed this verdict and remanded the case for a new trial due to the alleged improper exclusion of a potential juror. In March 2014, the Ninth Circuit instructed the parties to file briefs on whether the Ninth Circuit should rehear the case en banc. AbbVie assumed the liability for and control of certain legal matters, including this proceeding, in connection with its separation from Abbott.

Segment_Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information	'
Segment Information	'
	Note 11  Segment Information
	AbbVie operates in one business segment—pharmaceutical products. Substantially all of AbbVie’s U.S. sales are to three wholesalers. Outside the United States, products are sold primarily to health care providers or through distributors, depending on the market served. Worldwide net sales of key products were as follows.
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(in millions)	2014	2013
	HUMIRA	$2,637	$2,244
	Synagis	354	345
	AndroGel	254	240
	Kaletra	195	219
	Lupron	189	181
	Synthroid	157	119
	Sevoflurane	142	137
	Creon	107	90
	Duodopa	52	39
	Dyslipidemia products	96	344
	All other	380	371
	Net sales	$4,563	$4,329

Supplemental_Financial_Informa1

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Supplemental Financial Information	'
Schedule of interest expense, net	'
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(in millions)	2014		2013
	Interest expense	$70		$72
	Interest income	-5		-6
	Interest expense, net	$65		$66
Schedule of inventories, net	'
	(in millions)	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Finished goods	$  424		$485
	Work-in-process	439		404
	Raw materials	241		261
	Inventories, net	$1,104		$1,150
Schedule of property and equipment, net	'
	(in millions)	March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013
	Property and equipment, gross	$7,016		$6,909
	Less accumulated depreciation	(4,683	)	(4,611	)
	Property and equipment, net	$2,333		$2,298

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets1

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	'
Schedule of intangible assets	'
		March 31, 2014			December 31, 2013
	(in millions)	Gross	Accumulated	Net	Gross	Accumulated		Net
		carrying	amortization	carrying	carrying	amortization		carrying
		amount		amount	amount			amount
	Definite-lived intangible assets
	Developed product rights	$4,742	($3,593)	$1,149	$4,744	$(3,503	)	$1,241
	License agreements	1,017	-811	206	994	(792	)	202
	Total definite-lived intangible assets	5,759	-4,404	1,355	5,738	(4,295	)	1,443
	Indefinite-lived research and development	447	—	447	447	—		447
	Total intangible assets	$6,206	($4,404)	$1,802	$6,185	$(4,295	)	$1,890

Restructuring_Plans_Tables

Restructuring Plans (Tables) (Restructuring Plan 2012 and Prior Years)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Restructuring Plan 2012 and Prior Years	'
Restructuring Plans	'
Summary of the cash activity in the restructuring reserve	'
	(in millions)
	Accrued balance at December 31, 2013	$191
	2014 restructuring charges	2
	Payments and other adjustments	-23
	Accrued balance at March 31, 2014	$170

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair1

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures	'
Schedule of amounts and balance sheet location of derivatives	'
	The following table summarizes the amounts and location of AbbVie’s derivative instruments as of March 31, 2014.
		Derivatives in asset position					Derivatives in liability position
	(in millions)	Fair value		Balance sheet caption			Fair value		Balance sheet caption
	Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges	$—		n/a			$346		Long-term liabilities
	Foreign currency forward exchange contracts —
	Hedging instruments	17		Prepaid expenses and other			36		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Others not designated as hedges	25		Prepaid expenses and other			35		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Total	$42					$417
	The following table summarizes the amounts and location of AbbVie’s derivative instruments as of December 31, 2013.
		Derivatives in asset position					Derivatives in liability position
	(in millions)	Fair value		Balance sheet caption			Fair value		Balance sheet caption
	Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges	$—		n/a			$432		Long-term liabilities
	Foreign currency forward exchange contracts —
	Hedging instruments	—		Prepaid expenses and other			61		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Others not designated as hedges	17		Prepaid expenses and other			12		Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
	Total	$17					$505
Schedule of derivative activity and amounts and locations of income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into income	'
		(Loss) gain				Income (expense)
		recognized in other				and gain (loss)
		comprehensive				reclassified into or
		(loss) income				recorded in net income
	(in millions)	2014		2013		2014		2013		Income statement caption
	Foreign currency forward exchange contracts —
	Designated as cash flow hedges	$21		$9		($12)		$—		Cost of products sold
	Not designated as hedges	n/a		n/a		-1		-9		Net foreign exchange loss
	Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges	n/a		n/a		86		-40		Interest expense, net
Summary of the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that are carried at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheet	'
				Basis of fair value measurement
	(in millions)	Balance at		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		March 31, 2014		active markets for		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
				identical assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Assets
	Cash and equivalents	$8,140		$618		$7,522		$—
	Time deposits	960		—		960		—
	Equity securities	12		12		—		—
	Foreign currency contracts	42		—		42		—
	Total assets	$9,154		$630		$8,524		$—
	Liabilities
	Interest rate hedges	$346		$—		$346		$—
	Foreign currency contracts	71		—		71		—
	Contingent consideration	27		—		—		27
	Total liabilities	$444		$—		$417		$27
				Basis of fair value measurement
	(in millions)	Balance at		Quoted prices in		Significant other		Significant
		December 31, 2013		active markets for		observable inputs		unobservable inputs
				identical assets		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
				(Level 1)
	Assets
	Cash and equivalents	$9,595		$684		$8,911		$—
	Time deposits	300		—		300		—
	Equity securities	10		10		—		—
	Foreign currency contracts	17		—		17		—
	Total assets	$9,922		$694		$9,228		$—
	Liabilities
	Interest rate hedges	$432		$—		$432		$—
	Foreign currency contracts	73		—		73		—
	Contingent consideration	165		—		—		165
	Total liabilities	$670		$—		$505		$165
Schedule of reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which consist of contingent payments related to acquisitions and investments	'
	(in millions)
	Fair value as of December 31, 2013	$165
	Payments	(137	)
	Change in fair value recognized in net foreign exchange loss	(1	)
	Fair value as of March 31, 2014	$27
Schedule of the carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments	'
		Book values				Approximate fair values
	(in millions)	March 31,		December 31,		March 31,		December 31,
		2014		2013		2014		2013
	Assets
	Investments	$107		$108		$144		$129
	Liabilities
	Short-term borrowings	2		413		2		413
	Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18		18		18		18
	Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,732		14,724		14,696		14,493
Schedule of fair value of financial instruments by fair value basis	'
					Basis of fair value measurement
	(in millions)	Fair value at			Quoted prices in active		Significant		Significant
		March 31, 2014			markets for identical		other observable		unobservable
					assets		inputs		inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets
	Investments	$144			$54		$31		$59
	Total assets	$144			$54		$31		$59
	Liabilities
	Short-term borrowings	$2			$—		$2		$—
	Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18			—		18		—
	Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,696			14,609		87		—
	Total liabilities	$14,716			$14,609		$107		$—
					Basis of fair value measurement
	(in millions)	Fair value at			Quoted prices in active		Significant		Significant
		December 31,			markets for identical		other observable		unobservable
		2013			assets		inputs		inputs
					(Level 1)		(Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Assets
	Investments	$129			$39		$30		$60
	Total assets	$129			$39		$30		$60
	Liabilities
	Short-term borrowings	$413			$—		$413		$—
	Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18			—		18		—
	Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,493			14,413		80		—
	Total liabilities	$14,924			$14,413		$511		$—

PostEmployment_Benefits_Tables

Post-Employment Benefits (Tables) (AbbVie sponsored plans)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
AbbVie sponsored plans	'
Employee Benefit Plans	'
Summary of net periodic benefit cost relating to the company's defined benefit and other post-employment plans	'
		Defined			Other post-
		benefit plans			employment plans
	for the three months ended March 31 (in millions)	2014		2013	2014	2013
	Service cost	$43		$47	$5	$6
	Interest cost	55		48	6	6
	Expected return on plan assets	(75	)	-66	—	—
	Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs	17		28	-1	—
	Net periodic benefit cost	$40		$57	$10	$12

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Equity	'
Schedule of assumptions used in estimating the fair value of stock options granted, along with the grant-date fair value	'
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2014		2013
	Risk-free interest rate	1.90%		1.10%
	Average life of options (years)	6		6
	Volatility	27.01%		32.63%
	Dividend yield	3.20%		4.30%
	Fair value per stock option	$9.83		$6.87
Summary of AbbVie stock option activity for both AbbVie and Abbott employees	'
	(options in thousands, aggregate intrinsic value in millions)	Options		Weighted-	Weighted-	Aggregate
				average	average	intrinsic value
				exercise price	remaining life (in
					years)
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	35,994		$27.48
	Granted	1,035		51.92
	Exercised	(3,274	)	28.86
	Lapsed	(49	)	23.89
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	33,706		28.1	3.8	$786
	Exercisable at March 31, 2014	30,967		$27.02	3.3	$756
Summary of AbbVie RSA and RSU activity (including performance-based awards) for both AbbVie and Abbott employees	'
	(share units in thousands)	Share units		Weighted-average
				grant date fair value
	Outstanding at December 31, 2013	14,910		$32.07
	Granted	4,482		51.23
	Vested	(6,193	)	29.05
	Lapsed	(124	)	32.71
	Outstanding at March 31, 2014	13,075		$ 40.04
	Unvested shares at March 31, 2014	12,771		$ 40.23
Summary of changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	(in millions) (brackets denote losses)	Foreign		Pension and	Unrealized	Gains (losses)	Total
		currency		post-	gains (losses) on	on hedging
		translation		employment	marketable	activities
		adjustments		benefits	equity securities
	Balance as of December 31, 2013	$470		($827)	$2	($87)	($442)
	Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	-29		—	—	21	-8
	Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	—		12	—	12	24
	Net current-period other comprehensive (loss) income	-29		12	—	33	16
	Balance as of March 31, 2014	$441		($815)	$2	($54)	($426)
Schedule of the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'
	Type of reclassification (brackets denote loss)	Amount reclassified from		Affected line item in the
		accumulated other comprehensive		condensed consolidated
		loss (in millions)		statement of earnings
	Pension and post-employment benefits
	Amortization of actuarial losses and other	16		(a)
	Tax expense	-4
	Total reclassification for the three months ended March 31, 2014, net of tax	$12
	(a) Components are included in computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 7 for details)

Segment_Information_Tables

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014
Segment Information	'
Schedule of consolidated financial information by segment	'
		Three months ended
		March 31,
	(in millions)	2014	2013
	HUMIRA	$2,637	$2,244
	Synagis	354	345
	AndroGel	254	240
	Kaletra	195	219
	Lupron	189	181
	Synthroid	157	119
	Sevoflurane	142	137
	Creon	107	90
	Duodopa	52	39
	Dyslipidemia products	96	344
	All other	380	371
	Net sales	$4,563	$4,329

Background_and_Basis_of_Presen1

Background and Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Jan. 02, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
		customer
Background and Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Number of wholesalers	'	3	'	'
Common stock distribution ratio	1	'	'	'
Separation-related expenses	'	$80	$34	'
Operations and assets (net of liabilities) on which legal transfer of did not occur with the separation of the entity	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	'	3,650	'	3,854
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'	6,196	'	6,448
AbbVie common stock	'	'	'	'
Background and Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Percentage of outstanding common stock distributed to Abbott Laboratories' shareholders	100.00%	'	'	'
Abbott	'	'	'	'
Operations and assets (net of liabilities) on which legal transfer of did not occur with the separation of the entity	'	'	'	'
Accounts receivable	'	540	'	738
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'	517	'	876
Abbott | Transition services agreement	'	'	'	'
Background and Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Term by which the agreement can be extended	'	'1 year	'	'
Abbott | Transition services agreement | Maximum	'	'	'	'
Background and Basis of Presentation	'	'	'	'
Term for which transition services may be provided post-separation	'	'24 months	'	'
Abbott | Separation agreement	'	'	'	'
Operations and assets (net of liabilities) on which legal transfer of did not occur with the separation of the entity	'	'	'	'
Net sales	'	67	'	'
Accounts receivable	'	68	'	62
Inventories	'	47	'	190
Other assets	'	63	'	93
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities	'	$129	'	$212

Supplemental_Financial_Informa2

Supplemental Financial Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Interest Expense, Net	'	'	'
Interest expense	$70	$72	'
Interest income	-5	-6	'
Interest expense, net	65	66	'
Inventories	'	'	'
Finished goods	424	'	485
Work-in-process	439	'	404
Raw materials	241	'	261
Inventories, net	1,104	'	1,150
Property and Equipment, Net	'	'	'
Property and equipment, gross	7,016	'	6,909
Less accumulated depreciation	-4,683	'	-4,611
Property and equipment, net	2,333	'	2,298
Depreciation expense	$89	$92	'

Earnings_Per_Share_Details

Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of earnings per common share	'	'
Earnings allocable to participating securities (in dollars)	$4	'
Dilutive effect of outstanding stock options, RSUs and RSAs (in shares)	'	6
RSAs & RSUs	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of earnings per common share	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of earnings per common share (in shares)	4	'
Stock-based compensation plans	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of earnings per common share	'	'
Anti-dilutive securities excluded from the computation of earnings per common share (in shares)	1	'

Goodwill_and_Intangible_Assets2

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Goodwill	'	'	'
Carrying amount of goodwill	$6,271	'	$6,277
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	0	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	5,759	'	5,738
Accumulated amortization	-4,404	'	-4,295
Net carrying amount	1,355	'	1,443
Indefinite-lived research and development	447	'	447
Net carrying amount - Indefinite-lived research and development	447	'	447
Total intangible assets gross carrying amount	6,206	'	6,185
Accumulated amortization - Total intangible assets	-4,404	'	-4,295
Total intangible assets	1,802	'	1,890
Amortization of intangible assets	110	135	'
Impairment charges	0	0	'
Developed product rights	'	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	4,742	'	4,744
Accumulated amortization	-3,593	'	-3,503
Net carrying amount	1,149	'	1,241
License agreements	'	'	'
Definite-lived intangible assets	'	'	'
Gross carrying amount	1,017	'	994
Accumulated amortization	-811	'	-792
Net carrying amount	$206	'	$202

Restructuring_Plans_Details

Restructuring Plans (Details ) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Selling, general and administrative expense	'	'
Restructuring Plans	'	'
Restructuring charges	$2	'
Restructuring reserve activity	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	'
Restructuring Plan 2012 and Prior Years | Employee severance and contractual obligations	'	'
Restructuring Plans	'	'
Restructuring charges	2	9
Restructuring reserve activity	'	'
Accrued balance beginning of the period	191	'
Restructuring charges	2	9
Payments and other adjustments	-23	'
Accrued balance end of the period	170	'
Restructuring Plan 2012 and Prior Years | Selling, general and administrative expense | Employee severance and contractual obligations	'	'
Restructuring Plans	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	2
Restructuring reserve activity	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	2
Restructuring Plan 2012 and Prior Years | Cost of products sold | Employee severance and contractual obligations	'	'
Restructuring Plans	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	7
Restructuring reserve activity	'	'
Restructuring charges	'	$7

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair2

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures	'	'
Number of outstanding derivative instruments containing credit risk contingent features	0	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Derivatives in asset position	$42,000,000	$17,000,000
Derivatives in liability position	417,000,000	505,000,000
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate contracts | Fair value hedges	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Notional amount of derivative instruments	8,000,000,000	8,000,000,000
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate contracts | Fair value hedges | Long-term liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Derivatives in liability position	346,000,000	432,000,000
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Derivatives in asset position	17,000,000	'
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Derivatives in liability position	36,000,000	61,000,000
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash flow hedges	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Notional amount of derivative instruments	2,700,000,000	1,500,000,000
Approximate length of time over which accumulated gains and losses will be recognized in Cost of products sold	'12 months	'
Not designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Notional amount of derivative instruments	6,300,000,000	5,300,000,000
Not designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Derivatives in asset position	25,000,000	17,000,000
Not designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	'	'
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value	'	'
Derivatives in liability position	$35,000,000	$12,000,000

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair3

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Interest rate contracts | Fair value hedges | Interest expense, net	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivatives	'	'
Income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into or recorded in net income	$86	($40)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Not designated as hedging instrument | Net foreign exchange loss	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivatives	'	'
Income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into or recorded in net income	-1	-9
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash flow hedges | Cost of products sold	'	'
Gain (loss) on derivatives	'	'
(Loss) gain recognized in other comprehensive (loss) income	21	9
Income (expense) and gain (loss) reclassified into or recorded in net income	($12)	'

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair4

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details 3) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities	'	'
Cumulative unrealized holding gains on available-for-sale equity securities	$2	$2
Fair value	'	'
Assets	'	'
Short term investments	144	129
Total assets	144	129
Liabilities	'	'
Total liabilities	14,716	14,924
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Short term investments	54	39
Total assets	54	39
Liabilities	'	'
Total liabilities	14,609	14,413
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Short term investments	31	30
Total assets	31	30
Liabilities	'	'
Total liabilities	107	511
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Short term investments	59	60
Total assets	59	60
Recurring | Fair value	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash and equivalents	8,140	9,595
Equity securities	12	10
Foreign currency contracts	42	17
Total assets	9,154	9,922
Liabilities	'	'
Interest rate hedges	346	432
Foreign currency hedges	71	73
Contingent consideration	27	165
Total liabilities	444	670
Recurring | Fair value | Time deposits	'	'
Assets	'	'
Short term investments	960	300
Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash and equivalents	618	684
Equity securities	12	10
Total assets	630	694
Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Cash and equivalents	7,522	8,911
Foreign currency contracts	42	17
Total assets	8,524	9,228
Liabilities	'	'
Interest rate hedges	346	432
Foreign currency hedges	71	73
Total liabilities	417	505
Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Time deposits	'	'
Assets	'	'
Short term investments	960	300
Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Liabilities	'	'
Contingent consideration	27	165
Total liabilities	$27	$165

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair5

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014
Reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'
Fair value at the beginning of the period	$165
Payments	-137
Change in fair value recognized in net foreign exchange loss	-1
Fair value at the end of the period	27
Transfers of assets or liabilities between the fair value measurement levels	'
Transfer of assets from level 1 to level 2	0
Transfer of assets from level 2 to level 1	0
Transfer of liabilities from level 1 to level 2	0
Transfer of liabilities from level 2 to level 1	0
Contingent payments related to acquisitions | Solvay SA Pharmaceuticals	'
Reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'
Payments	$137

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair6

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details 5) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Book values	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	$107	$108
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term borrowings	2	413
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18	18
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,732	14,724
Approximate fair values	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	144	129
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term borrowings	2	413
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18	18
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	$14,696	$14,493

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair7

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details 6) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Fair value	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	$144	$129
Total assets	144	129
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term borrowings	2	413
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18	18
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,696	14,493
Total liabilities	14,716	14,924
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	54	39
Total assets	54	39
Liabilities	'	'
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	14,609	14,413
Total liabilities	14,609	14,413
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	31	30
Total assets	31	30
Liabilities	'	'
Short-term borrowings	2	413
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	18	18
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	87	80
Total liabilities	107	511
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)	'	'
Assets	'	'
Investments	59	60
Total assets	$59	$60

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair8

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details 7) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	customer	Governmental accounts in Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain	Governmental accounts in Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain	Net accounts receivables	Net accounts receivables	Net accounts receivables	Total sales	Total sales
				customer	U.S. wholesalers	U.S. wholesalers	HUMIRA	HUMIRA
Concentration of Risk	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Number of principal customers	3	'	'	3	'	'	'	'
Concentrations risk (as a percent)	'	'	'	'	34.00%	38.00%	58.00%	52.00%
Net governmental receivables outstanding	'	$566	$781	'	'	'	'	'

Financial_Instruments_and_Fair9

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Details 8) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
Short-Term Borrowings	'	'
Short-term borrowings	$2,000,000	$413,000,000
Commercial paper	'	'
Short-Term Borrowings	'	'
Short-term borrowings	0	400,000,000
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	0.20%	'
Unsecured bank credit facility	'	'
Short-Term Borrowings	'	'
Borrowings outstanding under the company's credit facility	0	'
Borrowing capacity	$2,000,000,000	'

PostEmployment_Benefits_Detail

Post-Employment Benefits (Details) (AbbVie Sponsored Plans, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Post-Employment Benefits	'	'
Contributions by employer	$370	$145
Defined benefit plans	'	'
Post-Employment Benefits	'	'
Service cost	43	47
Interest cost	55	48
Expected return on plan assets	-75	-66
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs	17	28
Net periodic benefit cost	40	57
Other post-employment plans	'	'
Post-Employment Benefits	'	'
Service cost	5	6
Interest cost	6	6
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs	-1	'
Net periodic benefit cost	$10	$12

Equity_Details

Equity (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

In Millions, except Share data in Thousands, unless otherwise specified

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Jan. 02, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Dec. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Mar. 31, 2014

Mar. 31, 2013

Abbott

Abbott

Stock Options

Stock Options

RSAs & RSUs

RSAs & RSUs

RSAs & RSUs

Selling, general and administrative expense

Selling, general and administrative expense

Research and development

Research and development

Cost of products sold

Cost of products sold

item

Stock-Based Compensation

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock compensation expense recognized

$106

$87

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$68

$57

$34

$25

$4

$5

Number of awards received in connection with the separation

'

'

1

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of awards granted to employees other than in connection with the separation

'

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Assumptions on which the expense related to stock options granted is based

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Risk-free interest rate (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

1.90%

1.10%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Average life of options

'

'

'

'

'6 years

'6 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Volatility (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

27.01%

32.63%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Dividend yield (as a percent)

'

'

'

'

3.20%

4.30%

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair value per stock option (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$9.83

$6.87

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Options

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

35,994

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

1,035

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercised (in shares)

'

'

'

'

-3,274

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lapsed (in shares)

'

'

'

'

-49

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

33,706

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable at the end of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

30,967

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average exercise price

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$27.48

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$51.92

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercised (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$28.86

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lapsed (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$23.89

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$28.10

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable at the end of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

$27.02

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted-Average remaining life (in years)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period

'

'

'

'

'3 years 9 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable at end of the period

'

'

'

'

'3 years 3 months 18 days

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period

'

'

'

'

786

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Exercisable at the end of the period

'

'

'

'

756

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional information

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost

'

'

'

'

5

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost

'

'

'

'

'2 years

'

'2 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Aggregate intrinsic value of options exercised

'

'

'

'

72

42

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Share units

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

14,910

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

4,482

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

-6,193

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lapsed (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

-124

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

13,075

'

14,910

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unvested shares at the end of the period (in shares)

'

'

'

'

'

'

12,771

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average grant date fair value

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the beginning of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$40.04

'

$32.07

'

'

'

'

'

'

Granted (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$51.23

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Vested (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$29.05

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Lapsed (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$32.71

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Outstanding at the end of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$40.04

'

$32.07

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unvested shares at the end of the period (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

$40.23

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Additional information

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Fair market value of awards vested

'

'

'

'

'

'

314

267

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost

'

'

'

'

'

'

$280

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Equity_Details_2

Equity (Details 2) (USD $)	3 Months Ended				0 Months Ended			3 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2014		Mar. 31, 2013		Feb. 15, 2013	Jan. 04, 2013	15-May-13	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Feb. 14, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
					Pre-separation earnings	Pre-separation earnings	Quarter One	Quarter One	Quarter One	Quarter Four	Quarter Four
Dividends Payable	'		'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Date declared	'		'		'	4-Jan-13	'	20-Feb-14	15-Feb-13	'	12-Dec-13
Date of record	'		'		'	'	'	15-Apr-14	'	'	15-Jan-14
Date paid	'		'		'	15-Feb-13	'	15-May-14	15-May-13	'	14-Feb-14
Cash Dividends	'		'		'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Dividends declared (in dollars per share)	$0.42	[1]	$0.80	[1]	'	$0.40	'	$0.42	$0.40	'	$0.40
Dividends paid (in dollars per share)	'		'		$0.40	'	$0.40	'	'	$0.40	'
Percentage increase in dividends declared	'		'		'	'	'	5.00%	'	'	'
[1]	On January 4, 2013, the board of directors declared a cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock. This dividend was declared from pre-separation earnings and was recorded as a reduction of additional paid-in capital. In addition, AbbVie declared a regular cash dividend of $0.40 per share of common stock during the first quarter of 2013. Refer to Note 8 for information regarding cash dividends declared and paid during the first quarters of 2014 and 2013.

Equity_Details_3

Equity (Details 3) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended						3 Months Ended
Share data in Millions, unless otherwise specified	Feb. 15, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014
				Foreign currency translation adjustments	Pension and post-employment benefits	Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities	Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable equity securities	Gains (losses) on hedging activities
Stock Repurchase Program	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Amount authorized under stock repurchase program	$1,500,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Shares repurchased	'	5	0	'	'	'	'	'
Payment for shares repurchased on the open market	'	250,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Share repurchase authorization amount remaining	'	1,000,000,000	'	'	'	'	'	'
Changes in accumulated other comprehensive Income	'	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Beginning balance	'	-442,000,000	'	470,000,000	-827,000,000	2,000,000	2,000,000	-87,000,000
Other comprehensive (loss) income before reclassifications	'	-8,000,000	'	-29,000,000	'	'	'	21,000,000
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income	'	24,000,000	'	'	12,000,000	'	'	12,000,000
Other comprehensive income (loss)	'	16,000,000	-205,000,000	-29,000,000	12,000,000	'	'	33,000,000
Ending balance	'	($426,000,000)	'	$441,000,000	($815,000,000)	$2,000,000	$2,000,000	($54,000,000)

Equity_Details_4

Equity (Details 4) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'
Tax expense	$306	$271
Net earnings	980	968
Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'
Net earnings	12	'
Pension and post-employment benefits | Amount reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	'	'
Amortization of actuarial losses and other	16	'
Tax expense	($4)	'

Income_Taxes_Details

Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Income Taxes	'	'
Effective income tax rate (as a percent)	23.80%	21.90%
Statutory tax rate (as a percent)	35.00%	35.00%
Reasonably possible amount that gross unrecognized tax benefits may change within the next twelve months, high end of range	$22	'

Legal_Proceedings_and_Continge1

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies (Details)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2014	Nov. 30, 2009
	Depakote	Depakote	HUMIRA patent infringement claim, NYU and Centocor	Allegation of proposed generic products infringing AbbVie's patents and seeking declaratory and injunctive relief
	Sidney Hillman Health Center of Rochester, et al. v. AbbVie Inc., et al.	Sidney Hillman Health Center of Rochester, et al. v. AbbVie Inc., et al.	AndroGel Antitrust Litigation	Matrix Laboratories, Inc.'s, Matrix Laboratories, Ltd.'s, and Mylan, Inc.'s case
	item	item	item
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	'	'	'	'
Number of healthcare benefit providers who filed lawsuits	3	'	'	'
Number of generic companies with whom certain litigation related agreements were entered into	'	3	'	'
Number of individual plaintiff lawsuits	'	'	3	'
Number of purported class actions	'	'	7	'
Stay period	'	'	'	'5 years

Segment_Information_Details

Segment Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
	customer
	segment
Segment Information	'	'
Number of Operating Segments	1	'
Number of principal customers	3	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	$4,563	$4,329
HUMIRA	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	2,637	2,244
Synagis	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	354	345
AndroGel	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	254	240
Kaletra	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	195	219
Lupron	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	189	181
Synthroid	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	157	119
Sevoflurane	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	142	137
Creon	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	107	90
Duodopa	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	52	39
Dyslipidemia products	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	96	344
All other	'	'
Segment and Geographic Area Information	'	'
Net sales	$380	$371