AbbVie (ABBV) 10-Q 5 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 24, 2017
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	AbbVie Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	1,551,152
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
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		1,591,540,513
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Earnings (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Statement [Abstract]
Net revenues	$ 6,538,000,000	$ 5,958,000,000
Cost of products sold	1,616,000,000	1,369,000,000
Selling, general and administrative	1,368,000,000	1,355,000,000
Research and development	1,135,000,000	946,000,000
Acquired in-process research and development	0	10,000,000
Total operating costs and expenses	4,119,000,000	3,680,000,000
Operating earnings	2,419,000,000	2,278,000,000
Interest expense, net	247,000,000	200,000,000
Net foreign exchange loss	13,000,000	302,000,000
Other expense, net	73,000,000	0
Earnings before income tax expense	2,086,000,000	1,776,000,000
Income tax expense	375,000,000	422,000,000
Net earnings	$ 1,711,000,000	$ 1,354,000,000
Per share data
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 0.83
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	1.06	0.83
Cash dividends declared per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.57
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	1,597	1,616
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	1,603	1,625

Condensed Consolidated Stateme3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Net earnings	$ 1,711	$ 1,354
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $— for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $41 for the three months ended March 31, 2016	170	188
Pension and post-employment benefits, net of tax expense (benefit) of $8 for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $8 for the three months ended March 31, 2016	11	15
Marketable security activities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(1) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $(7) for the three months ended March 31, 2016	(8)	(25)
Other comprehensive income	44	138
Comprehensive income	1,755	1,492
Net investment hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(36) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $— for the three months ended March 31, 2016
Hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit)	(64)	0
Cash flow hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit) of $(13) for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $(7) for the three months ended March 31, 2016
Hedging activities, net of tax expense (benefit)	$ (65)	$ (40)

Condensed Consolidated Stateme4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Parenthetical) (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Foreign currency translation adjustments, tax expense (benefit)	$ 0	$ 41
Pension and post-employment benefits, tax expense	8	8
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable equity securities, tax (benefit) expense	(1)	(7)
Net Investment Hedges
Hedging activities, tax (benefit) expense	(36)	0
Cash Flow Hedges
Hedging activities, tax (benefit) expense	$ (13)	$ (7)

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Current assets
Cash and equivalents	$ 4,740	$ 5,100
Short-term investments	1,508	1,323
Accounts receivable, net	4,677	4,758
Inventories	1,427	1,444
Prepaid expenses and other	3,195	3,562
Total current assets	15,547	16,187
Investments	2,123	1,783
Property and equipment, net	2,612	2,604
Intangible assets, net	28,629	28,897
Goodwill	15,490	15,416
Other assets	1,263	1,212
Total assets	65,664	66,099
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings	400	377
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	25	25
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	8,419	9,379
Total current liabilities	8,844	9,781
Long-term debt and lease obligations	36,526	36,440
Deferred income taxes	6,797	6,890
Other long-term liabilities	8,499	8,352
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 4,000,000,000 shares authorized, 1,762,827,782 shares issued as of March 31, 2017 and 1,754,900,486 as of December 31, 2016	18	18
Common stock held in treasury, at cost, 171,461,810 shares as of March 31, 2017 and 162,387,762 as of December 31, 2016	(11,430)	(10,852)
Additional paid-in capital	13,889	13,678
Retained earnings	5,063	4,378
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,542)	(2,586)
Total stockholders’ equity	4,998	4,636
Total liabilities and equity	$ 65,664	$ 66,099

Condensed Consolidated Balance6

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
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)	1,762,827,782	1,754,900,486
Common stock held in treasury, at cost (in shares)	171,461,810	162,387,762

Condensed Consolidated Stateme7

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities
Net earnings	$ 1,711	$ 1,354
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash from operating activities:
Depreciation	103	103
Amortization of intangible assets	271	165
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	85	0
Stock-based compensation	141	138
Upfront costs and milestones related to collaborations	28	25
Devaluation loss related to Venezuela	0	298
Other, net	45	62
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable	(34)	81
Inventories	71	19
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(53)	(159)
Accounts payable and other liabilities	(266)	42
Cash flows from operating activities	2,102	2,128
Cash flows from investing activities
Acquisitions and investments	(63)	(28)
Acquisitions of property and equipment	(95)	(121)
Purchases of investment securities	(970)	(1,342)
Sales and maturities of investment securities	444	33
Cash flows from investing activities	(684)	(1,458)
Cash flows from financing activities
Net change in short-term borrowings	23	(6)
Repayments of long-term debt and lease obligations	(6)	0
Dividends paid	(1,027)	(924)
Purchases of treasury stock	(895)	(409)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	85	77
Other, net	26	43
Cash flows from financing activities	(1,794)	(1,219)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and equivalents	16	(294)
Net decrease in cash and equivalents	(360)	(843)
Cash and equivalents, beginning of period	5,100	8,399
Cash and equivalents, end of period	$ 4,740	$ 7,556

Basis of Presentation

Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation Basis of Historical Presentation The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of AbbVie Inc. (AbbVie or the company) 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 United States (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, 2016 . 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 revenues and net earnings for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of future or annual results. Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business . The standard provides clarifying guidance to assist in the evaluation of whether transactions are treated as business combinations or asset acquisitions. AbbVie elected to early adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2017. This standard will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring after adoption . In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting . AbbVie adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2017. As a result, all excess tax benefits associated with stock-based awards are recognized in the statement of earnings when the awards vest or settle, rather than in stockholders' equity. In addition, excess tax benefits in the statement of cash flows are now classified as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity. AbbVie adopted these changes prospectively and recognized $26 million of excess tax benefits in income tax expense and classified this within cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40) . The amendments in this standard supersede most current revenue recognition requirements. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. AbbVie can apply the amendments using one of the following two methods: (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (ii) modified retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized at the date of initial application. AbbVie will adopt the standard effective the first quarter of 2018 and apply the amendments using the modified retrospective method. AbbVie's revenues are primarily comprised of product sales. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The standard requires several targeted changes including that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. These provisions will not impact the accounting for AbbVie's investments in debt securities. The new guidance also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects of current U.S. GAAP. Amendments are to be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. This standard will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2018. The standard does not permit early adoption with the exception of certain targeted provisions. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-02 outlines a comprehensive lease accounting model and supersedes the current lease guidance. The new standard requires lessees to recognize lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets for all leases with lease terms greater than 12 months. It also changes the definition of a lease and expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. The new standard must be adopted using the modified retrospective approach and will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2019. Early adoption is permitted. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact and timing of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) . The standard changes how credit losses are measured for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other financial instruments, the standard requires the use of a new forward-looking "expected credit loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, the standard now requires allowances to be recorded instead of reducing the amortized cost of the investment. Additionally, the standard requires new disclosures and will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2020. Early adoption beginning in the first quarter of 2019 is permitted. With certain exceptions, adjustments are to be applied using a modified-retrospective approach by reflecting adjustments through a cumulative-effect impact to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact and timing of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740) . The new standard requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Under current U.S. GAAP, the income tax consequences of these intercompany asset transfers are deferred until the asset is sold to a third party or otherwise recovered through use. The standard will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2018. Adjustments for this update are to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2017 , AbbVie had approximately $1.8 billion of prepaid income tax assets that will be affected by this standard, of which $1.3 billion was included in prepaid expenses and other on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost . The standard requires that an employer continue to report the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item or items as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented separately outside of income from operations, and are not eligible for capitalization. This standard will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2018. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental Financial Informat

Supplemental Financial Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Supplemental Financial Information
Supplemental Financial Information	Supplemental Financial Information Interest Expense, Net Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 Interest expense $ 273 $ 215 Interest income (26 ) (15 ) Interest expense, net $ 247 $ 200 Inventories (in millions) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Finished goods $ 273 $ 223 Work-in-process 1,024 1,080 Raw materials 130 141 Inventories $ 1,427 $ 1,444 Property and Equipment (in millions) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Property and equipment, gross $ 7,596 $ 7,526 Accumulated depreciation (4,984 ) (4,922 ) Property and equipment, net $ 2,612 $ 2,604 Depreciation expense was $103 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 .

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	Earnings Per Share AbbVie grants certain shares of restricted stock awards (RSAs) and restricted stock units (RSUs) that are considered to be participating securities. Due to the presence of participating securities, AbbVie calculates earnings per share (EPS) using the more dilutive of the treasury stock or the two-class method. For all periods presented, the two-class method was more dilutive. The following table summarizes the impact of the two-class method: Three months ended (in millions, except per share information) 2017 2016 Basic EPS Net earnings $ 1,711 $ 1,354 Earnings allocated to participating securities 9 7 Earnings available to common shareholders $ 1,702 $ 1,347 Weighted-average basic shares outstanding 1,597 1,616 Basic earnings per share $ 1.07 $ 0.83 Diluted EPS Net earnings $ 1,711 $ 1,354 Earnings allocated to participating securities 9 7 Earnings available to common shareholders $ 1,702 $ 1,347 Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding 1,597 1,616 Effect of dilutive securities 6 9 Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding 1,603 1,625 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.06 $ 0.83 Certain shares issuable under stock-based compensation plans were excluded from the computation of EPS because the effect would have been antidilutive. The number of common shares excluded were insignificant for all periods presented.

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Ot

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements	Licensing, Acquisitions and Other Arrangements Acquisition of Stemcentrx On June 1, 2016, AbbVie acquired all of the outstanding equity interests in Stemcentrx, a privately-held biotechnology company. The transaction expanded AbbVie’s oncology pipeline by adding the late-stage asset rovalpituzumab tesirine (Rova-T), four additional early-stage clinical compounds in solid tumor indications and a significant portfolio of pre-clinical assets. Rova-T is currently in registrational trials for small cell lung cancer. The acquisition of Stemcentrx was accounted for as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. The aggregate upfront consideration for the acquisition of Stemcentrx consisted of approximately 62.4 million shares of AbbVie common stock, issued from common stock held in treasury, and cash. AbbVie may make up to $4.0 billion in additional payments upon the achievement of certain development and regulatory milestones. The acquisition-date fair value of this contingent consideration totaled $620 million and was estimated using a combination of probability-weighted discounted cash flow models and Monte Carlo simulation models. The estimate was based on significant inputs that are not observable in the market, referred to as Level 3 inputs, as described in more detail in Note 8. The following table summarizes total consideration: (in millions) Cash $ 1,883 Fair value of AbbVie common stock 3,923 Contingent consideration 620 Total consideration $ 6,426 The following table summarizes fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the June 1, 2016 acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired and liabilities assumed Accounts receivable $ 1 Prepaid expenses and other 7 Property and equipment 17 Intangible assets - Indefinite-lived research and development 6,100 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (31 ) Deferred income taxes (1,933 ) Other long-term liabilities (7 ) Total identifiable net assets 4,154 Goodwill 2,272 Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 6,426 Intangible assets related to acquired in-process research and development (IPR&D) for Rova-T, four additional early-stage clinical compounds in solid tumor indications and several additional pre-clinical compounds. The estimated fair value of the acquired IPR&D was determined using the multi-period excess earnings model of the “income approach,” which is a valuation technique that provides an estimate of the fair value of an asset based on market participant expectations of the cash flows an asset would generate over its remaining useful life. Some of the more significant assumptions inherent in the development of those asset valuations include the estimated annual cash flows for each asset or product (including net revenues, cost of sales, research and development (R&D) costs, selling and marketing costs and working capital/contributory asset charges), the appropriate discount rate to select in order to measure the risk inherent in each future cash flow stream, the assessment of each asset’s life cycle, the regulatory approval probabilities, commercial success risks, competitive landscape as well as other factors. The goodwill recognized from the acquisition of Stemcentrx represents expected synergies, including the ability to: (i) leverage the respective strengths of each business; (ii) expand the combined company’s product portfolio; (iii) accelerate AbbVie's clinical and commercial presence in oncology; and (iv) establish a strong leadership position in oncology and was impacted by the establishment of a deferred tax liability for the acquired identifiable intangible assets which have no tax basis. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. Pro Forma Financial Information The following table presents the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations of AbbVie and Stemcentrx for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as if the acquisition of Stemcentrx had occurred on January 1, 2015: Three months ended (in millions, except per share information) 2016 Net revenues $ 5,959 Net earnings 1,287 Basic earnings per share $ 0.77 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.76 The unaudited pro forma financial information was prepared using the acquisition method of accounting and was based on the historical financial information of AbbVie and Stemcentrx. In order to reflect the occurrence of the acquisition on January 1, 2015 as required, the unaudited pro forma financial information includes adjustments to reflect the additional interest expense associated with the issuance of debt to finance the acquisition and the reclassification of acquisition, integration, and financing-related costs incurred during 2016 to the three months ended March 31, 2015. The unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the consolidated results of operations would have been had the acquisition been completed on January 1, 2015. In addition, the unaudited pro forma financial information is not a projection of the future results of operations of the combined company nor does it reflect the expected realization of any cost savings or synergies associated with the acquisition. Acquisition of BI 655066 and BI 655064 from Boehringer Ingelheim On April 1, 2016, AbbVie acquired all rights to risankizumab (BI 655066), an anti-IL-23 monoclonal biologic antibody in Phase 3 development for psoriasis, from Boehringer Ingelheim (BI) pursuant to a global collaboration agreement. AbbVie is also evaluating the potential of this biologic therapy in Crohn’s disease, psoriatic arthritis and asthma. In addition to risankizumab, AbbVie also gained rights to an anti-CD40 antibody, BI 655064, currently in Phase 1 development. BI will retain responsibility for further development of BI 655064, and AbbVie may elect to advance the program after completion of certain clinical achievements. The acquired assets include all patents, data, know-how, third-party agreements, regulatory filings and manufacturing technology related to BI 655066 and BI 655064. The company concluded that the acquired assets met the definition of a business and accounted for the transaction as a business combination using the acquisition method of accounting. Under the terms of the agreement, AbbVie made an upfront payment of $595 million. Additionally, $18 million of payments to BI, pursuant to a contractual obligation to reimburse BI for certain development costs it incurred prior to the acquisition date, were initially deferred. AbbVie may make certain contingent payments upon the achievement of defined development, regulatory and commercial milestones, as well as royalty payments based on net revenues of licensed products. The maximum aggregate amount payable for development and regulatory milestones is approximately $1.6 billion. The acquisition-date fair value of these milestones was $606 million. The acquisition-date fair value of contingent royalty payments was $2.8 billion. The potential contingent consideration payments were estimated by applying a probability-weighted expected payment model for contingent milestone payments and a Monte Carlo simulation model for contingent royalty payments, which were then discounted to present value. The fair value measurements were based on Level 3 inputs. The following table summarizes total consideration: (in millions) Cash $ 595 Deferred consideration payable 18 Contingent consideration 3,365 Total consideration $ 3,978 The following table summarizes fair values of assets acquired as of the April 1, 2016 acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired Identifiable intangible assets - Indefinite-lived research and development $ 3,890 Goodwill 88 Total assets acquired $ 3,978 The estimated fair value of the acquired IPR&D was determined using the multi-period excess earnings model of the “income approach.” The goodwill recognized from this acquisition includes expected synergies, including an expansion of the combined company’s immunology product portfolio. Pro forma results of operations for this acquisition have not been presented because this acquisition is insignificant to AbbVie’s consolidated results of operations. Other Licensing & Acquisitions Activity Excluding the acquisitions above, cash outflows related to other acquisitions and investments totaled $63 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $28 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 . AbbVie recorded no IPR&D charges for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and IPR&D charges of $10 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .

Collaboration with Janssen Biot

Collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc.	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc.	Collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. In December 2011, Pharmacyclics, a wholly-owned subsidiary of AbbVie, entered into a worldwide collaboration and license agreement with Janssen Biotech, Inc. and its affiliates (Janssen), one of the Janssen Pharmaceutical companies of Johnson & Johnson for the joint development and commercialization of IMBRUVICA, a novel, orally active, selective covalent inhibitor of Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) and certain compounds structurally related to IMBRUVICA, for oncology and other indications, excluding all immune and inflammatory mediated diseases or conditions and all psychiatric or psychological diseases or conditions, in the United States and outside the United States. The collaboration provides Janssen with an exclusive license to commercialize IMBRUVICA outside of the United States and co-exclusively with AbbVie in the United States. Both parties are responsible for the development, manufacturing and marketing of any products generated as a result of the collaboration. The collaboration has no set duration or specific expiration date and provides for potential future development, regulatory and approval milestone payments of up to $200 million to AbbVie. The collaboration also includes a cost sharing arrangement for associated collaboration activities. Except in certain cases, Janssen is responsible for approximately 60% of collaboration development costs and AbbVie is responsible for the remaining 40% of collaboration development costs. In the United States, both parties have co-exclusive rights to commercialize the products; however, AbbVie is the principal in the end customer product sales. AbbVie and Janssen share pre-tax profits and losses equally from the commercialization of products. Sales of IMBRUVICA are included in AbbVie's net revenues. Janssen's share of profits is included in AbbVie's cost of products sold. Other costs incurred under the collaboration are reported in their respective expense line items, net of Janssen's share. Outside the United States, Janssen is responsible for and has exclusive rights to commercialize IMBRUVICA. AbbVie and Janssen share pre-tax profits and losses equally from the commercialization of products. AbbVie's share of profits is included in AbbVie's net revenues. Other costs incurred under the collaboration are reported in their respective expense line items, net of Janssen's share. The following table shows the profit and cost sharing relationship between Janssen and AbbVie: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 United States - Janssen's share of profits (included in cost of products sold) $ 212 $ 153 International - AbbVie's share of profits (included in net revenues) 94 56 Global - AbbVie's share of other costs (included in respective line items) 59 63

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets	Goodwill and Intangible Assets Goodwill The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill: (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 15,416 Foreign currency translation adjustments 74 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ 15,490 The latest impairment assessment of goodwill was completed in the third quarter of 2016. As of March 31, 2017 , there were no accumulated goodwill impairment losses. Future impairment tests for goodwill will be performed annually in the third quarter, or earlier if impairment indicators exist. Intangible Assets, Net The following table summarizes intangible assets: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in millions) Gross Accumulated Net Gross Accumulated Net Definite-lived intangible assets Developed product rights $ 16,471 $ (4,451 ) $ 12,020 $ 16,464 $ (4,256 ) $ 12,208 License agreements 7,809 (1,190 ) 6,619 7,809 (1,110 ) 6,699 Total definite-lived intangible assets 24,280 (5,641 ) 18,639 24,273 (5,366 ) 18,907 Indefinite-lived research and development 9,990 — 9,990 9,990 — 9,990 Total intangible assets, net $ 34,270 $ (5,641 ) $ 28,629 $ 34,263 $ (5,366 ) $ 28,897 Amortization expense was $271 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $165 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 . Amortization expense was included in cost of products sold in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings. For the three months ended March 31, 2017 , no impairment charges were recorded to intangible assets. For the three months ended March 31, 2016 , an impairment charge of $39 mi llion was recorded related to certain developed product rights in the United States due to a decline in the market for the product. The fair value was based on a discounted cash flow analysis and the charge was included in cost of products sold in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings. The indefinite-lived intangible assets represent acquired IPR&D associated with products that have not yet received regulatory approval. Indefinite-lived intangible assets as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 primarily related to the acquisitions of Stemcentrx and BI compounds. See Note 4 for additional information. The latest impairment assessment of intangible assets not subject to amortization was completed in the third quarter of 2016. No impairment charges were recorded for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 . Future impairment tests for indefinite-lived intangible assets will be performed annually in the third quarter, or earlier if impairment indicators exist.

Restructuring Plans

Restructuring Plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring Plans	Restructuring Plans AbbVie recorded restructuring charges of $16 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2016 . The following table summarizes the cash activity in the restructuring reserve for the three months ended March 31, 2017 : (in millions) Accrued balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 87 2017 restructuring charges 16 Payments and other adjustments (30 ) Accrued balance as of March 31, 2017 $ 73

Financial Instruments and Fair

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures	Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures Risk Management Policy See Note 10 to the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 for a summary of AbbVie's risk management policy and use of derivative instruments. 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 $2.9 billion at March 31, 2017 and $2.2 billion at December 31, 2016 , are designated as cash flow hedges and are recorded at fair value. The durations of these forward exchange contracts were generally less than eighteen months . Accumulated gains and losses as of March 31, 2017 will be reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss (AOCI) and included in cost of products sold at the time the products are sold, generally not exceeding six months from the date of settlement. The company also enters into foreign currency forward exchange contracts to manage its exposure to foreign currency denominated trade payables and receivables and intercompany loans. These contracts are not designated as hedges and are recorded at fair value. Resulting gains or losses are reflected in net foreign exchange loss in the consolidated statements of earnings and are generally offset by losses or gains on the foreign currency exposure being managed. These contracts had notional amounts totaling $6.2 billion at March 31, 2017 and $6.6 billion at December 31, 2016 . The company also uses foreign currency forward exchange contracts or foreign currency denominated debt to hedge its net investments in certain foreign subsidiaries and affiliates. In the fourth quarter of 2016, the company issued €3.6 billion aggregate principal amount of senior Euro notes and designated the principal amounts of this foreign denominated debt as net investment hedges. AbbVie is a party to interest rate hedge contracts, designated as fair value hedges, with notional amounts totaling $11.8 billion at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . The effect of the hedge contracts is to change a fixed-rate interest obligation to a floating rate for that portion of the debt. AbbVie records the contracts at fair value and adjusts 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 on the condensed consolidated balance sheets: Fair value – Fair value – (in millions) Balance sheet caption March 31, December 31, 2016 Balance sheet caption March 31, December 31, 2016 Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — Designated as cash flow hedges Prepaid expenses and other $ 80 $ 170 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 18 $ 5 Designated as cash flow hedges Other assets 3 — Other long-term liabilities 12 — Not designated as hedges Prepaid expenses and other 12 55 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 37 33 Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges Other assets — — Other long-term liabilities 353 338 Total derivatives $ 95 $ 225 $ 420 $ 376 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 presents the amounts of gains/(losses) from derivative instruments recognized in other comprehensive income: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 Foreign currency forward exchange contracts $ (61 ) $ (46 ) The amount of hedge ineffectiveness was insignificant for all periods presented. Assuming market rates remain constant through contract maturities, the company expects to transfer pre-tax unrealized gains of $129 million into cost of products sold for foreign currency cash flow hedges during the next 12 months. Related to AbbVie’s non-derivative, foreign currency denominated debt designated as net investment hedges, the company recognized a pre-tax loss of $100 million in other comprehensive income in the three months ended March 31, 2017 . The following table summarizes the pre-tax amounts and location of derivative instrument net gains/(losses) recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, including the effective portions of the net gains/(losses) reclassified out of AOCI into net earnings. See Note 10 for the amount of net gains/(losses) reclassified out of AOCI. Three months ended (in millions) Statement of earnings caption 2017 2016 Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — Designated as cash flow hedges Cost of products sold $ 17 $ 1 Not designated as hedges Net foreign exchange loss (46 ) (65 ) Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges Interest expense, net (15 ) 254 Total $ (44 ) $ 190 The gain/(loss) related to outstanding interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges is recognized in interest expense, net and directly offsets the (loss)/gain on the underlying hedged item, the fixed-rate debt, resulting in no net impact to interest expense, net for all periods presented. Fair Value Measures The fair value hierarchy 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 were carried at fair value on a recurring basis on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 : Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Total Quoted prices in active markets for identical Significant Significant Assets Cash and equivalents $ 4,740 $ 727 $ 4,013 $ — Time deposits 1,029 — 1,029 — Debt securities 2,490 — 2,490 — Equity securities 65 65 — — Foreign currency contracts 95 — 95 — Total assets $ 8,419 $ 792 $ 7,627 $ — Liabilities Interest rate hedges $ 353 $ — $ 353 $ — Foreign currency contracts 67 — 67 — Contingent consideration 4,298 — — 4,298 Total liabilities $ 4,718 $ — $ 420 $ 4,298 The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that were carried at fair value on a recurring basis on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 : Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Total Quoted prices in active markets for identical Significant Significant Assets Cash and equivalents $ 5,100 $ 1,191 $ 3,909 $ — Time deposits 1,014 — 1,014 — Debt securities 1,974 — 1,974 — Equity securities 76 76 — — Foreign currency contracts 225 — 225 — Total assets $ 8,389 $ 1,267 $ 7,122 $ — Liabilities Interest rate hedges $ 338 $ — $ 338 $ — Foreign currency contracts 38 — 38 — Contingent consideration 4,213 — — 4,213 Total liabilities $ 4,589 $ — $ 376 $ 4,213 The fair values of time deposits approximate their amortized cost due to the short maturities of these instruments. The fair values of available-for-sale debt securities were based on prices obtained from commercial pricing services. Available-for-sale equity securities consists of investments for which the fair values were 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 were valued using publicized spot curves for interest rate hedges and publicized forward curves for foreign currency contracts. The fair value measurements of the contingent consideration liabilities were determined based on significant unobservable inputs, including the discount rate, estimated probabilities and timing of achieving specified development, regulatory and commercial milestones and the estimated amount of future sales of the acquired products still in development. Changes to the fair value of the contingent consideration liabilities can result from changes to one or a number of inputs, including discount rates, the probabilities of achieving the milestones, the time required to achieve the milestones and estimated future sales. Significant judgment is employed in determining the appropriateness of these inputs. Changes to the inputs described above could have a material impact on the company's financial position and results of operations in any given period. At March 31, 2017 , a 50 basis point increase/decrease in the assumed discount rate would have decreased/increased the value of the contingent consideration liabilities by approximately $180 million . Additionally, at March 31, 2017 , a five percentage point increase/decrease in the assumed probability of success across all potential indications would have increased/decreased the value of the contingent consideration liabilities by approximately $360 million . 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 consideration related to the acquisitions of Stemcentrx and BI compounds. See Note 4 for additional information. (in millions) Fair value as of December 31, 2016 $ 4,213 Change in fair value recognized in net earnings 85 Fair value as of March 31, 2017 $ 4,298 The change in fair value recognized in net earnings was recorded in other expense, net in the condensed consolidated statement of earnings for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . 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 were recognized at historical cost or some basis other than fair value. The book values, approximate fair values and bases used to measure the approximate fair values of certain financial instruments as of March 31, 2017 are shown in the table below: Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Book Value Approximate fair value Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant observable Significant Assets Investments $ 47 $ 47 $ — $ 5 $ 42 Total assets $ 47 $ 47 $ — $ 5 $ 42 Liabilities Short-term borrowings $ 400 $ 400 $ — $ 400 $ — Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations 25 25 — 25 — Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges 36,879 36,976 34,896 2,080 — Total liabilities $ 37,304 $ 37,401 $ 34,896 $ 2,505 $ — The book values, approximate fair values and bases used to measure the approximate fair values of certain financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 are shown in the table below: Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Book Value Approximate fair value Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant observable Significant Assets Investments $ 42 $ 42 $ — $ 5 $ 37 Total assets $ 42 $ 42 $ — $ 5 $ 37 Liabilities Short-term borrowings $ 377 $ 377 $ — $ 377 $ — Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations 25 25 — 25 — Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges 36,778 36,664 34,589 2,075 — Total liabilities $ 37,180 $ 37,066 $ 34,589 $ 2,477 $ — Investments primarily consist of cost method investments, for which the company takes into consideration recent transactions and financial information of the investee, which represents a Level 3 basis of fair value measurement. The fair values of short-term and current borrowings approximate the carrying values due to the short maturities of these instruments. The fair values of long-term debt, excluding fair value hedges and the term loans, were 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 fair values of the term loans were determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis using quoted market rates, which represents a Level 2 basis of fair value measurement. The counterparties to financial instruments consist of select major international financial institutions. Available-for-sale Securities Substantially all of the company’s investments in debt and equity securities were classified as available-for-sale. Debt securities classified as short-term were $452 million as of March 31, 2017 and $309 million as of December 31, 2016 . Long-term debt securities mature primarily within five years . Estimated fair values of available-for-sale securities were generally based on prices obtained from commercial pricing services. The following table is a summary of available-for-sale securities by type as of March 31, 2017 : Amortized Cost Gross unrealized Fair Value (in millions) Gains Losses Asset backed securities $ 937 $ 1 $ (4 ) $ 934 Corporate debt securities 1,435 2 (2 ) 1,435 Other debt securities 122 — (1 ) 121 Equity securities 18 48 (1 ) 65 Total $ 2,512 $ 51 $ (8 ) $ 2,555 The following table is a summary of available-for-sale securities by type as of December 31, 2016 : Amortized Cost Gross unrealized Fair Value (in millions) Gains Losses Asset backed securities $ 891 $ 1 $ (4 ) $ 888 Corporate debt securities 961 1 (2 ) 960 Other debt securities 127 — (1 ) 126 Equity securities 18 60 (2 ) 76 Total $ 1,997 $ 62 $ (9 ) $ 2,050 AbbVie had no other-than-temporary impairments as of March 31, 2017 . For the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , net realized gains were insignificant. Concentrations of Risk The functional currency of the company’s Venezuela operations is the U.S. dollar due to the hyperinflationary status of the Venezuelan economy. During the first quarter of 2016, in consideration of declining economic conditions in Venezuela and a decline in transactions settled at the official rate, AbbVie determined that its net monetary assets denominated in the Venezuelan bolivar (VEF) were no longer expected to be settled at the official rate of 10 VEF per U.S. dollar, but rather at the Divisa Complementaria (DICOM) rate. Therefore, during the first quarter of 2016, AbbVie recorded a charge of $298 million to net foreign exchange loss to revalue its bolivar-denominated net monetary assets using the DICOM rate then in effect of approximately 270 VEF per U.S. dollar. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , AbbVie’s net monetary assets in Venezuela were insignificant. AbbVie continues to do business with foreign governments in certain countries, including Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain, which have historically experienced challenges in credit and economic conditions. Substantially all of AbbVie’s trade receivables in Greece, Portugal, Italy and Spain are with government health systems. Outstanding net governmental receivables in these countries totaled $244 million at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . The company also continues to do business with foreign governments in certain oil-exporting countries which have recently experienced a deterioration in economic conditions, including Saudi Arabia and Russia. Outstanding net governmental receivables related to Saudi Arabia were $125 million as of March 31, 2017 and $122 million as of December 31, 2016 . Outstanding net governmental receivables related to Russia were $110 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Due to oil market conditions in recent years, liquidity issues in certain countries may result in delays in the collection of receivables. Global economic conditions and customer-specific factors may require the company to periodically re-evaluate the collectability of its receivables and the company could potentially incur credit losses. Of total net accounts receivable, three U.S. wholesalers accounted for 49% as of March 31, 2017 and 51% as of December 31, 2016 , and substantially all of AbbVie’s net revenues in the United States were to these three wholesalers. HUMIRA (adalimumab) is AbbVie’s single largest product and accounted for approximately 63% of AbbVie’s total net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 60% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 . Debt and Credit Facilities Short-term borrowings included commercial paper of $400 million as of March 31, 2017 and $377 million as of December 31, 2016 . The weighted-average interest rate on commercial paper borrowings was 1.1% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and was 0.6% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 .

Post-Employment Benefits

Post-Employment Benefits	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Post-Employment Benefits	Post-Employment Benefits The following is a summary of net periodic benefit costs relating to the company’s defined benefit and other post-employment plans: Defined Other post- Three months ended March 31, Three months ended March 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 58 $ 53 $ 7 $ 7 Interest cost 50 51 6 6 Expected return on plan assets (95 ) (89 ) — — Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs 26 22 1 — Net periodic benefit cost $ 39 $ 37 $ 14 $ 13 AbbVie's principal domestic defined benefit plan is the AbbVie Pension Plan. AbbVie made voluntary contributions to this plan of $150 million in the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 .

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Equity	Equity Stock-Based Compensation Stock-based compensation expense is principally related to awards issued pursuant to the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program and is summarized as follows: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 Cost of products sold $ 3 $ 3 Research and development 64 63 Selling, general and administrative 74 72 Pre-tax compensation expense 141 138 Tax benefit 47 48 After-tax compensation expense $ 94 $ 90 Stock Options During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , in connection with the company's annual grant, AbbVie granted 1.2 million stock options with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $9.80 . As of March 31, 2017 , $33 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately the next two years . RSAs, RSUs and Performance Shares During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , in connection with the company's annual grant, AbbVie granted 5.7 million RSUs and performance shares with a weighted-average grant-date fair value of $61.38 . As of March 31, 2017 , $408 million of unrecognized compensation cost related to RSAs, RSUs and performance shares is expected to be recognized as expense over approximately the next two years . Cash Dividends The following table summarizes quarterly cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and the full year 2016 : 2017 2016 Date Declared Payment Date Dividend Per Share Date Declared Payment Date Dividend Per Share 02/16/17 05/15/17 $ 0.64 10/28/16 02/15/17 $ 0.64 09/09/16 11/15/16 $ 0.57 06/16/16 08/15/16 $ 0.57 02/18/16 05/16/16 $ 0.57 Stock Repurchase Program On February 16, 2017, AbbVie's board of directors authorized a $5.0 billion increase to AbbVie's existing stock repurchase program. The stock repurchase authorization permits purchases of AbbVie shares from time to time in open-market or private transactions at management's direction depending on the company's cash flows, net debt level and market conditions. The program has no time limit and can be discontinued at any time. Shares repurchased under this program are recorded at acquisition cost, including related expenses, and are available for general corporate purposes. AbbVie repurchased approximately 7.8 million shares in the open market for $500 million during the three months ended March 31, 2017 . During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , AbbVie cash-settled $285 million of its open market purchases made at the end of 2016. AbbVie's remaining stock repurchase authorization was $4.5 billion as of March 31, 2017 . Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 : (in millions) Foreign Net investment hedging activities Pension and post- Marketable security activities Cash flow hedging Total Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (1,435 ) $ 140 $ (1,513 ) $ 46 $ 176 $ (2,586 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 170 (64 ) (8 ) 2 (49 ) 51 Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — — 19 (10 ) (16 ) (7 ) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 170 (64 ) 11 (8 ) (65 ) 44 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ (1,265 ) $ 76 $ (1,502 ) $ 38 $ 111 $ (2,542 ) Other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 included foreign currency translation adjustments totaling a gain of $170 million , which was principally due to the impact of the improvement in the Euro in the three months ended March 31, 2017 on the translation of the company’s assets denominated in the Euro. The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 : (in millions) Foreign Pension and post- Marketable security activities Cash flow hedging Total Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ (1,270 ) $ (1,378 ) $ 47 $ 40 $ (2,561 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 188 1 (24 ) (39 ) 126 Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 14 (1 ) (1 ) 12 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 188 15 (25 ) (40 ) 138 Balance as of March 31, 2016 $ (1,082 ) $ (1,363 ) $ 22 $ — $ (2,423 ) Other comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2016 included foreign currency translation adjustments totaling a gain of $188 million , which was principally due to the impact of the improvement in the Euro in the three months ended March 31, 2016 on the translation of the company’s assets denominated in the Euro. The table below presents the impact on AbbVie’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings for significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended (in millions) (brackets denote gains) 2017 2016 Pension and post-employment benefits Amortization of actuarial losses and other (a) $ 27 $ 22 Tax benefit (8 ) (8 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 19 $ 14 Cash flow hedging activities Losses (gains) on designated cash flow hedges (b) $ (17 ) $ (1 ) Tax expense 1 — Total reclassifications, net of tax $ (16 ) $ (1 ) (a) Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 9). (b) Amounts are included in cost of products sold (see Note 8).

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes The effective tax rate was 18% for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 24% for the three months ended March 31, 2016 . The effective tax rate in each period differed from the statutory tax rate principally due to the benefit from foreign operations which reflects the impact of lower income tax rates in locations outside the United States, tax exemptions and incentives in Puerto Rico and other foreign tax jurisdictions and business development activities together with the cost of repatriation decisions. The decrease in the effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2017 over the prior year was principally due to changes in the jurisdictional mix of earnings, as well as certain discrete factors and events, including collaborations, the impact of the prior year non-deductible devaluation loss related to Venezuela and the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2016-09, which changed the accounting treatment for excess tax benefits associated with stock-based awards. See Note 1 for additional information related to the adoption of this accounting pronouncement. Due to the potential for resolution of federal, state, and foreign examinations, and the expiration of various statutes of limitations, it is reasonably possible that the company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits balance may change within the next twelve months up to $231 million . AbbVie and Abbott Laboratories (Abbott) entered into a tax sharing agreement effective on the date of separation, which provides that Abbott is liable for and has indemnified AbbVie against all income tax liabilities for periods prior to the separation. Accordingly, 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 Contingen

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies	Legal Proceedings and Contingencies AbbVie is subject to contingencies, such as various claims, legal proceedings and investigations regarding product liability, intellectual property, commercial, securities and other matters that arise in the normal course of business. Loss contingency provisions are recorded for probable losses at management’s best estimate of a loss, or when a best estimate cannot be made, a minimum loss contingency amount within a probable range is recorded. The recorded accrual balance for litigation was approximately $ 225 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . Initiation of new legal proceedings or a change in the status of existing proceedings may result in a change in the estimated loss accrued by AbbVie. While it is not feasible to predict the outcome of all proceedings and exposures with certainty, management believes that their ultimate disposition should not have a material adverse effect on AbbVie’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. Subject to certain exceptions specified in the separation agreement by and between Abbott and AbbVie, 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. 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 are consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Georgia under the Multi-District Litigation (MDL) 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 patent litigation involving AndroGel was sham litigation and the 2006 patent litigation settlement agreements and related agreements with three generic companies violate federal antitrust laws. Plaintiffs generally seek monetary damages and/or injunctive relief and attorneys' fees. These cases include: (a) four individual plaintiff lawsuits; (b) three purported class actions; and (c) Federal Trade Commission v. Actavis, Inc. et al. Following the district court's dismissal of all plaintiffs' claims, appellate proceedings led to the reinstatement of the claims regarding the patent litigation settlements, which are proceeding in discovery in the district court. The Attorney General of the State of Alaska had also served AbbVie with a Civil Investigative Demand, primarily seeking documents that AbbVie produced in these lawsuits. In January 2017, the Alaska Attorney General’s office reported that it had closed that matter and would not be taking further action. Lawsuits are pending 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 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 dama ges and/or injunctive relief and attorneys' fees. The lawsuits consist of four individual plaintiff lawsuits and two consolidated purported class actions: one brought by three named direct purchasers of Niaspan and the other brought by ten named end-payor purchasers of Niaspan. The cases are consolidated for pre-trial proceedings in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania under the MDL Rules as In re: Niaspan Antitrust Litigation , MDL No. 2460. The office of the Attorney General of the State of Alaska had also served AbbVie with a Civil Investigative Demand, primarily seeking documents that AbbVie produced in this lawsuit. In January 2017, the Alaska Attorney General’s office reported that it had closed that matter and would not be taking further action. In October 2016, the State of California filed a lawsuit regarding the Niaspan patent litigation settlement in Orange County Superior Court, asserting a claim under the unfair competition provision of the California Business and Professions Code seeking injunctive relief, restitution, civil penalties and attorneys’ fees. In November 2007, GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) filed a lawsuit against Abbott in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California alleging that Abbott violated federal antitrust and various state 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 GSK. In January 2014, 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. The case was returned to the district court in California, but after GSK dismissed its federal antitrust claims, the case was transferred in April 2015 to the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina, where the case is proceeding. AbbVie assumed the liability for and control of this proceeding in connection with its separation from Abbott. In September 2014, the FTC filed suit in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania against AbbVie and others, alleging that the 2011 patent litigation with two generic companies regarding AndroGel was sham litigation and the patent litigation settlement with one of those generic companies violates federal antitrust laws. The FTC's complaint seeks monetary damages and injunctive relief. In May 2015, the court dismissed the FTC's claim regarding the patent litigation settlement. The office of the Attorney General of the State of Alaska had also served AbbVie with a Civil Investigative Demand, primarily seeking documents that AbbVie produced in this lawsuit. In January 2017, the Alaska Attorney General’s office reported that it had closed that matter and would not be taking further action. In March 2015, the State of Louisiana filed a lawsuit, State of Louisiana v. Fournier Industrie et Sante, et al. , against AbbVie, Abbott and affiliated Abbott entities in Louisiana state court. Plaintiff alleges that patent applications and patent litigation filed and other alleged conduct from the early 2000's and before related to the drug TriCor violated Louisiana State antitrust and unfair trade practices laws. The lawsuit seeks monetary damages and attorneys' fees. In August 2015, the court dismissed the case as time-barred. In December 2016, the appellate court for the state’s appeal remanded for the trial court to determine whether the state is a proper party in interest . 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 Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (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. In February 2017, the court dismissed this lawsuit with prejudice and in March 2017, the plaintiffs appealed that dismissal with the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In November 2014, a putative class action lawsuit, Medical Mutual of Ohio v. AbbVie Inc., et al. , was filed against sev eral manufacturers of testosterone replacement therapies (TRTs), including AbbVie, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on behalf of all insurance companies, health benefit providers, and other third party payors who paid for TRTs, including AndroGel. The claims asserted include violations of the federal RICO Act and state consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices laws. The complaint seeks monetary dama ges and injunctive relief. A similar lawsuit, Allied Services Division Welfare Fund v. AbbVie Inc., et al. , was filed in the same court in October 2015 on behalf of the same putative class members and a putative class of consumers. Product liability cases are pending in which plaintiffs generally allege that AbbVie and other manufacturers of TRTs did not adequately warn about risks of certain injuries, primarily heart attacks, strokes and blood clots. Approximately 4,150 claims are consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois under the MDL Rules as In re: Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation , MDL No. 2545. Approximately 230 claims are pending in various state courts. Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages. Product liability cases are pending in which plaintiffs generally allege that AbbVie did not adequately warn about risk of certain injuries, primarily various birth defects, arising from use of Depakote. Over ninety percent of the approximately 695 claims are pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, and the rest are pending in various other federal and state courts. Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages. In November 2014, five individuals filed a putative class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers and sellers of certain Shire plc (Shire) securities between June 20 and October 14, 2014, against AbbVie and its chief executive officer in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois alleging that the defendants made and/or are responsible for material misstatements in violation of federal securities laws in connection with AbbVie's proposed transaction with Shire. In June 2016, a lawsuit, Elliott Associates, L.P., et al. v. AbbVie Inc. , was filed by five investment funds against AbbVie in the Cook County, Illinois Circuit Court alleging that AbbVie made misrepresentations and omissions in connec tion with its proposed t ransaction with Shire. Plaintiffs seek compensatory and punitive damages. Beginning in May 2016, the Patent Trial & Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office (PTO) instituted five inter partes review proceedings brought by Coherus Biosciences and Boehringer Ingelheim related to three AbbVie patents covering methods of treatment of rheumatoid arthritis using adalimumab. In these proceedings, the PTO will review the validity of the patents. AbbVie is seeking to enforce certain patent rights related to adalimumab (a drug AbbVie sells under the trademark HUMIRA®). In a case filed in United States District Court for the District of Delaware in August 2016, AbbVie alleges that Amgen Inc.’s and Amgen Manufacturing, Limited’s proposed biosimilar adalimumab product infringes certain AbbVie patents. AbbVie seeks declaratory and injunctive relief. In March 2017, AbbVie filed a lawsuit, AbbVie Inc. v. Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics, Inc. and Grifols Worldwide Operations Ltd., in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California against Novartis Vaccines and Grifols Worldwide seeking a declaratory judgment that eleven HCV-related patents licensed to AbbVie in 2002 are invalid.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	Segment Information AbbVie operates in one business segment—pharmaceutical products. The following table details AbbVie’s worldwide net revenues: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 HUMIRA $ 4,118 $ 3,577 IMBRUVICA 551 381 VIEKIRA 263 414 Lupron 194 190 Creon 185 150 Synagis 300 319 Synthroid 192 182 AndroGel 136 156 Kaletra 115 133 Sevoflurane 107 111 Duodopa 80 68 All other 297 277 Total net revenues $ 6,538 $ 5,958

Basis of Presentation (Policies

Basis of Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements In January 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2017-01, Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business . The standard provides clarifying guidance to assist in the evaluation of whether transactions are treated as business combinations or asset acquisitions. AbbVie elected to early adopt the standard in the first quarter of 2017. This standard will be applied prospectively to any transactions occurring after adoption . In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-09, Compensation-Stock Compensation (Topic 718): Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting . AbbVie adopted the standard in the first quarter of 2017. As a result, all excess tax benefits associated with stock-based awards are recognized in the statement of earnings when the awards vest or settle, rather than in stockholders' equity. In addition, excess tax benefits in the statement of cash flows are now classified as an operating activity rather than as a financing activity. AbbVie adopted these changes prospectively and recognized $26 million of excess tax benefits in income tax expense and classified this within cash flows from operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2017 . Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, Summary and Amendments That Create Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and Other Assets and Deferred Costs-Contracts with Customers (Subtopic 340-40) . The amendments in this standard supersede most current revenue recognition requirements. The core principle of the new guidance is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. AbbVie can apply the amendments using one of the following two methods: (i) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented, or (ii) modified retrospectively with the cumulative effect of initially applying the amendments recognized at the date of initial application. AbbVie will adopt the standard effective the first quarter of 2018 and apply the amendments using the modified retrospective method. AbbVie's revenues are primarily comprised of product sales. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-01, Financial Instruments-Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities . The standard requires several targeted changes including that equity investments (except those accounted for under the equity method of accounting, or those that result in consolidation of the investee) be measured at fair value with changes in fair value recognized in net earnings. These provisions will not impact the accounting for AbbVie's investments in debt securities. The new guidance also changes certain disclosure requirements and other aspects of current U.S. GAAP. Amendments are to be applied as a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. This standard will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2018. The standard does not permit early adoption with the exception of certain targeted provisions. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) . ASU 2016-02 outlines a comprehensive lease accounting model and supersedes the current lease guidance. The new standard requires lessees to recognize lease liabilities and corresponding right-of-use assets for all leases with lease terms greater than 12 months. It also changes the definition of a lease and expands the disclosure requirements of lease arrangements. The new standard must be adopted using the modified retrospective approach and will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2019. Early adoption is permitted. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact and timing of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326) . The standard changes how credit losses are measured for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other financial instruments, the standard requires the use of a new forward-looking "expected credit loss" model that generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, the standard now requires allowances to be recorded instead of reducing the amortized cost of the investment. Additionally, the standard requires new disclosures and will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2020. Early adoption beginning in the first quarter of 2019 is permitted. With certain exceptions, adjustments are to be applied using a modified-retrospective approach by reflecting adjustments through a cumulative-effect impact to retained earnings as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact and timing of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-16, Income Taxes (Topic 740) . The new standard requires entities to recognize the income tax consequences of an intercompany transfer of an asset other than inventory when the transfer occurs. Under current U.S. GAAP, the income tax consequences of these intercompany asset transfers are deferred until the asset is sold to a third party or otherwise recovered through use. The standard will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2018. Adjustments for this update are to be applied on a modified retrospective basis through a cumulative-effect adjustment directly to retained earnings with any adjustments reflected as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements. As of March 31, 2017 , AbbVie had approximately $1.8 billion of prepaid income tax assets that will be affected by this standard, of which $1.3 billion was included in prepaid expenses and other on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. In March 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-07, Compensation - Retirement Benefits (Topic 715): Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost . The standard requires that an employer continue to report the service cost component of net periodic benefit cost in the same income statement line item or items as other employee compensation costs arising from services rendered during the period. The other components of net periodic benefit cost are required to be presented separately outside of income from operations, and are not eligible for capitalization. This standard will be effective for AbbVie starting with the first quarter of 2018. AbbVie is currently assessing the impact of adopting this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

Supplemental Financial Inform22

Supplemental Financial Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Supplemental Financial Information
Schedule of interest expense, net	Interest Expense, Net Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 Interest expense $ 273 $ 215 Interest income (26 ) (15 ) Interest expense, net $ 247 $ 200
Schedule of inventories	Inventories (in millions) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Finished goods $ 273 $ 223 Work-in-process 1,024 1,080 Raw materials 130 141 Inventories $ 1,427 $ 1,444
Schedule of property and equipment	Property and Equipment (in millions) March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Property and equipment, gross $ 7,596 $ 7,526 Accumulated depreciation (4,984 ) (4,922 ) Property and equipment, net $ 2,612 $ 2,604

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Summary of diluted earnings per share, impact of two-class method	The following table summarizes the impact of the two-class method: Three months ended (in millions, except per share information) 2017 2016 Basic EPS Net earnings $ 1,711 $ 1,354 Earnings allocated to participating securities 9 7 Earnings available to common shareholders $ 1,702 $ 1,347 Weighted-average basic shares outstanding 1,597 1,616 Basic earnings per share $ 1.07 $ 0.83 Diluted EPS Net earnings $ 1,711 $ 1,354 Earnings allocated to participating securities 9 7 Earnings available to common shareholders $ 1,702 $ 1,347 Weighted-average shares of common stock outstanding 1,597 1,616 Effect of dilutive securities 6 9 Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding 1,603 1,625 Diluted earnings per share $ 1.06 $ 0.83

Licensing, Acquisitions, and 24

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of consideration paid	The following table summarizes total consideration: (in millions) Cash $ 1,883 Fair value of AbbVie common stock 3,923 Contingent consideration 620 Total consideration $ 6,426 The following table summarizes total consideration: (in millions) Cash $ 595 Deferred consideration payable 18 Contingent consideration 3,365 Total consideration $ 3,978
Schedule of assets acquired and liabilities assumed	The following table summarizes fair values of assets acquired as of the April 1, 2016 acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired Identifiable intangible assets - Indefinite-lived research and development $ 3,890 Goodwill 88 Total assets acquired $ 3,978 The following table summarizes fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the June 1, 2016 acquisition date: (in millions) Assets acquired and liabilities assumed Accounts receivable $ 1 Prepaid expenses and other 7 Property and equipment 17 Intangible assets - Indefinite-lived research and development 6,100 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (31 ) Deferred income taxes (1,933 ) Other long-term liabilities (7 ) Total identifiable net assets 4,154 Goodwill 2,272 Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed $ 6,426
Schedule of proforma results of operations	The following table presents the unaudited pro forma combined results of operations of AbbVie and Stemcentrx for the three months ended March 31, 2016 as if the acquisition of Stemcentrx had occurred on January 1, 2015: Three months ended (in millions, except per share information) 2016 Net revenues $ 5,959 Net earnings 1,287 Basic earnings per share $ 0.77 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.76

Collaboration with Janssen Bi25

Collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc.
Schedule of profit and cost sharing relationship	The following table shows the profit and cost sharing relationship between Janssen and AbbVie: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 United States - Janssen's share of profits (included in cost of products sold) $ 212 $ 153 International - AbbVie's share of profits (included in net revenues) 94 56 Global - AbbVie's share of other costs (included in respective line items) 59 63

Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill and Intangible Assets (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of changes in the carrying amount of goodwill	The following table summarizes the changes in the carrying amount of goodwill: (in millions) Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 15,416 Foreign currency translation adjustments 74 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ 15,490
Summary of definite-lived intangible assets	The following table summarizes intangible assets: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in millions) Gross Accumulated Net Gross Accumulated Net Definite-lived intangible assets Developed product rights $ 16,471 $ (4,451 ) $ 12,020 $ 16,464 $ (4,256 ) $ 12,208 License agreements 7,809 (1,190 ) 6,619 7,809 (1,110 ) 6,699 Total definite-lived intangible assets 24,280 (5,641 ) 18,639 24,273 (5,366 ) 18,907 Indefinite-lived research and development 9,990 — 9,990 9,990 — 9,990 Total intangible assets, net $ 34,270 $ (5,641 ) $ 28,629 $ 34,263 $ (5,366 ) $ 28,897
Summary of indefinite-lived intangible assets	The following table summarizes intangible assets: March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 (in millions) Gross Accumulated Net Gross Accumulated Net Definite-lived intangible assets Developed product rights $ 16,471 $ (4,451 ) $ 12,020 $ 16,464 $ (4,256 ) $ 12,208 License agreements 7,809 (1,190 ) 6,619 7,809 (1,110 ) 6,699 Total definite-lived intangible assets 24,280 (5,641 ) 18,639 24,273 (5,366 ) 18,907 Indefinite-lived research and development 9,990 — 9,990 9,990 — 9,990 Total intangible assets, net $ 34,270 $ (5,641 ) $ 28,629 $ 34,263 $ (5,366 ) $ 28,897

Restructuring Plans (Tables)

Restructuring Plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Summary of the cash activity in the restructuring reserve	The following table summarizes the cash activity in the restructuring reserve for the three months ended March 31, 2017 : (in millions) Accrued balance as of December 31, 2016 $ 87 2017 restructuring charges 16 Payments and other adjustments (30 ) Accrued balance as of March 31, 2017 $ 73

Financial Instruments and Fai28

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Summary of the amounts and location of derivatives	The following table summarizes the amounts and location of AbbVie’s derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated balance sheets: Fair value – Fair value – (in millions) Balance sheet caption March 31, December 31, 2016 Balance sheet caption March 31, December 31, 2016 Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — Designated as cash flow hedges Prepaid expenses and other $ 80 $ 170 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 18 $ 5 Designated as cash flow hedges Other assets 3 — Other long-term liabilities 12 — Not designated as hedges Prepaid expenses and other 12 55 Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 37 33 Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges Other assets — — Other long-term liabilities 353 338 Total derivatives $ 95 $ 225 $ 420 $ 376
Summary of the impact of effective portions of derivatives	The following table presents the amounts of gains/(losses) from derivative instruments recognized in other comprehensive income: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 Foreign currency forward exchange contracts $ (61 ) $ (46 )
Schedule of location and amount of gain/(loss) recognized for derivatives	The following table summarizes the pre-tax amounts and location of derivative instrument net gains/(losses) recognized in the condensed consolidated statements of earnings, including the effective portions of the net gains/(losses) reclassified out of AOCI into net earnings. See Note 10 for the amount of net gains/(losses) reclassified out of AOCI. Three months ended (in millions) Statement of earnings caption 2017 2016 Foreign currency forward exchange contracts — Designated as cash flow hedges Cost of products sold $ 17 $ 1 Not designated as hedges Net foreign exchange loss (46 ) (65 ) Interest rate swaps designated as fair value hedges Interest expense, net (15 ) 254 Total $ (44 ) $ 190
Summary of the bases used to measure assets and liabilities carried at fair value	The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that were carried at fair value on a recurring basis on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 : Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Total Quoted prices in active markets for identical Significant Significant Assets Cash and equivalents $ 4,740 $ 727 $ 4,013 $ — Time deposits 1,029 — 1,029 — Debt securities 2,490 — 2,490 — Equity securities 65 65 — — Foreign currency contracts 95 — 95 — Total assets $ 8,419 $ 792 $ 7,627 $ — Liabilities Interest rate hedges $ 353 $ — $ 353 $ — Foreign currency contracts 67 — 67 — Contingent consideration 4,298 — — 4,298 Total liabilities $ 4,718 $ — $ 420 $ 4,298 The following table summarizes the bases used to measure certain assets and liabilities that were carried at fair value on a recurring basis on the condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2016 : Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Total Quoted prices in active markets for identical Significant Significant Assets Cash and equivalents $ 5,100 $ 1,191 $ 3,909 $ — Time deposits 1,014 — 1,014 — Debt securities 1,974 — 1,974 — Equity securities 76 76 — — Foreign currency contracts 225 — 225 — Total assets $ 8,389 $ 1,267 $ 7,122 $ — Liabilities Interest rate hedges $ 338 $ — $ 338 $ — Foreign currency contracts 38 — 38 — Contingent consideration 4,213 — — 4,213 Total liabilities $ 4,589 $ — $ 376 $ 4,213
Schedule of reconciliation of the fair value measurements	The following table is a reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3), which consist of contingent consideration related to the acquisitions of Stemcentrx and BI compounds. See Note 4 for additional information. (in millions) Fair value as of December 31, 2016 $ 4,213 Change in fair value recognized in net earnings 85 Fair value as of March 31, 2017 $ 4,298
Schedule of the carrying values and fair values of certain financial instruments	The book values, approximate fair values and bases used to measure the approximate fair values of certain financial instruments as of March 31, 2017 are shown in the table below: Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Book Value Approximate fair value Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant observable Significant Assets Investments $ 47 $ 47 $ — $ 5 $ 42 Total assets $ 47 $ 47 $ — $ 5 $ 42 Liabilities Short-term borrowings $ 400 $ 400 $ — $ 400 $ — Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations 25 25 — 25 — Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges 36,879 36,976 34,896 2,080 — Total liabilities $ 37,304 $ 37,401 $ 34,896 $ 2,505 $ — The book values, approximate fair values and bases used to measure the approximate fair values of certain financial instruments as of December 31, 2016 are shown in the table below: Basis of fair value measurement (in millions) Book Value Approximate fair value Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets Significant observable Significant Assets Investments $ 42 $ 42 $ — $ 5 $ 37 Total assets $ 42 $ 42 $ — $ 5 $ 37 Liabilities Short-term borrowings $ 377 $ 377 $ — $ 377 $ — Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations 25 25 — 25 — Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges 36,778 36,664 34,589 2,075 — Total liabilities $ 37,180 $ 37,066 $ 34,589 $ 2,477 $ —
Schedule of available-for-sale securities by type	The following table is a summary of available-for-sale securities by type as of December 31, 2016 : Amortized Cost Gross unrealized Fair Value (in millions) Gains Losses Asset backed securities $ 891 $ 1 $ (4 ) $ 888 Corporate debt securities 961 1 (2 ) 960 Other debt securities 127 — (1 ) 126 Equity securities 18 60 (2 ) 76 Total $ 1,997 $ 62 $ (9 ) $ 2,050 The following table is a summary of available-for-sale securities by type as of March 31, 2017 : Amortized Cost Gross unrealized Fair Value (in millions) Gains Losses Asset backed securities $ 937 $ 1 $ (4 ) $ 934 Corporate debt securities 1,435 2 (2 ) 1,435 Other debt securities 122 — (1 ) 121 Equity securities 18 48 (1 ) 65 Total $ 2,512 $ 51 $ (8 ) $ 2,555

Post-Employment Benefits (Table

Post-Employment Benefits (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Postemployment Benefits [Abstract]
Summary of net periodic benefit costs	The following is a summary of net periodic benefit costs relating to the company’s defined benefit and other post-employment plans: Defined Other post- Three months ended March 31, Three months ended March 31, (in millions) 2017 2016 2017 2016 Service cost $ 58 $ 53 $ 7 $ 7 Interest cost 50 51 6 6 Expected return on plan assets (95 ) (89 ) — — Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs 26 22 1 — Net periodic benefit cost $ 39 $ 37 $ 14 $ 13

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Summary of share-based compensation expense	Stock-based compensation expense is principally related to awards issued pursuant to the AbbVie 2013 Incentive Stock Program and is summarized as follows: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 Cost of products sold $ 3 $ 3 Research and development 64 63 Selling, general and administrative 74 72 Pre-tax compensation expense 141 138 Tax benefit 47 48 After-tax compensation expense $ 94 $ 90
Summary of quarterly cash dividends	The following table summarizes quarterly cash dividends declared for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and the full year 2016 : 2017 2016 Date Declared Payment Date Dividend Per Share Date Declared Payment Date Dividend Per Share 02/16/17 05/15/17 $ 0.64 10/28/16 02/15/17 $ 0.64 09/09/16 11/15/16 $ 0.57 06/16/16 08/15/16 $ 0.57 02/18/16 05/16/16 $ 0.57
Summary of changes in balances of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 : (in millions) Foreign Net investment hedging activities Pension and post- Marketable security activities Cash flow hedging Total Balance as of December 31, 2016 $ (1,435 ) $ 140 $ (1,513 ) $ 46 $ 176 $ (2,586 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 170 (64 ) (8 ) 2 (49 ) 51 Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — — 19 (10 ) (16 ) (7 ) Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 170 (64 ) 11 (8 ) (65 ) 44 Balance as of March 31, 2017 $ (1,265 ) $ 76 $ (1,502 ) $ 38 $ 111 $ (2,542 ) The following table summarizes the changes in each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax, for the three months ended March 31, 2016 : (in millions) Foreign Pension and post- Marketable security activities Cash flow hedging Total Balance as of December 31, 2015 $ (1,270 ) $ (1,378 ) $ 47 $ 40 $ (2,561 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications 188 1 (24 ) (39 ) 126 Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss — 14 (1 ) (1 ) 12 Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) 188 15 (25 ) (40 ) 138 Balance as of March 31, 2016 $ (1,082 ) $ (1,363 ) $ 22 $ — $ (2,423 )
Schedule of the significant amounts reclassified out of each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss	The table below presents the impact on AbbVie’s condensed consolidated statements of earnings for significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 : Three months ended (in millions) (brackets denote gains) 2017 2016 Pension and post-employment benefits Amortization of actuarial losses and other (a) $ 27 $ 22 Tax benefit (8 ) (8 ) Total reclassifications, net of tax $ 19 $ 14 Cash flow hedging activities Losses (gains) on designated cash flow hedges (b) $ (17 ) $ (1 ) Tax expense 1 — Total reclassifications, net of tax $ (16 ) $ (1 ) (a) Amounts are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost (see Note 9). (b) Amounts are included in cost of products sold (see Note 8).

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of worldwide net revenues	AbbVie operates in one business segment—pharmaceutical products. The following table details AbbVie’s worldwide net revenues: Three months ended (in millions) 2017 2016 HUMIRA $ 4,118 $ 3,577 IMBRUVICA 551 381 VIEKIRA 263 414 Lupron 194 190 Creon 185 150 Synagis 300 319 Synthroid 192 182 AndroGel 136 156 Kaletra 115 133 Sevoflurane 107 111 Duodopa 80 68 All other 297 277 Total net revenues $ 6,538 $ 5,958

Basis of Presentation (Details)

Basis of Presentation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Effect of excess tax benefits within cash flows from operating	$ 2,102	$ 2,128
Effect of excess tax benefits within cash flows from financing	1,794	$ 1,219
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prepaid income tax assets	1,800
Accounting Standards Update 2016-16 | Prepaid Expenses and Other
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Prepaid income tax assets	1,300
New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect | Accounting Standards Update 2016-09, Excess Tax Benefit Component
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Effect of excess tax benefits within cash flows from operating	26
Effect of excess tax benefits within cash flows from financing	$ 26

Supplemental Financial Inform33

Supplemental Financial Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense	$ 273	$ 215
Interest income	(26)	(15)
Interest expense, net	247	200
Inventories
Finished goods	273		$ 223
Work-in-process	1,024		1,080
Raw materials	130		141
Inventories	1,427		1,444
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment, gross	7,596		7,526
Accumulated depreciation	(4,984)		(4,922)
Property and equipment, net	2,612		$ 2,604
Depreciation expense	$ 103	$ 103

Earnings Per Share (Details)

Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Basic EPS
Net earnings	$ 1,711	$ 1,354
Earnings allocated to participating securities	9	7
Earnings available to common shareholders	$ 1,702	$ 1,347
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	1,597	1,616
Basic earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.07	$ 0.83
Diluted EPS
Net earnings	$ 1,711	$ 1,354
Earnings allocated to participating securities	9	7
Earnings available to common shareholders	$ 1,702	$ 1,347
Weighted-average basic shares outstanding (in shares)	1,597	1,616
Effect of dilutive securities (in shares)	6	9
Weighted-average diluted shares outstanding (in shares)	1,603	1,625
Diluted earnings per share (in dollars per share)	$ 1.06	$ 0.83

Licensing, Acquisitions, and 35

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements - Additional Information (Details) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Jun. 01, 2016USD ($)compoundshares	Apr. 01, 2016USD ($)
Stemcentrx
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of early-stage clinical compounds in solid tumor indications acquired | compound	4
Shares issued as consideration (in shares) | shares	62.4
Additional payment	$ 4,000
Milestone payments	$ 620
BI
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Additional payment		$ 18
Milestone payments		606
Initial upfront payment		595
Royalty payments		2,800
BI | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Additional payment		$ 1,600

Licensing, Acquisitions, and 36

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements - Schedule of Consideration Paid (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jun. 01, 2016	Apr. 01, 2016
Stemcentrx
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash	$ 1,883
Fair value of AbbVie common stock	3,923
Contingent consideration	620
Total consideration	$ 6,426
BI
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash		$ 595
Deferred consideration payable		18
Contingent consideration		3,365
Total consideration		$ 3,978

Licensing, Acquisitions, and 37

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements - Schedule of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jun. 01, 2016	Apr. 01, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 15,490	$ 15,416
Stemcentrx
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Accounts receivable			$ 1
Prepaid expenses and other			7
Property and equipment			17
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities			(31)
Deferred income taxes			(1,933)
Other long-term liabilities			(7)
Total identifiable net assets			4,154
Goodwill			2,272
Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed			6,426
Stemcentrx | IPR&D
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets			$ 6,100
BI
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill				$ 88
Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed				3,978
BI | IPR&D
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets				$ 3,890

Licensing, Acquisitions, and 38

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements - Proforma Results of Operations (Details) - Stemcentrx $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net revenues | $	$ 5,959
Net earnings | $	$ 1,287
Basic earnings per share (in USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.77
Diluted earnings per share (in USD per share) | $ / shares	$ 0.76

Licensing, Acquisitions, and 39

Licensing, Acquisitions, and Other Arrangements - Other Licensing & Acquisitions Activity (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Cash outflows related to other acquisitions and investments	$ 63,000,000	$ 28,000,000
Acquired in-process research and development	$ 0	$ 10,000,000

Collaboration with Janssen Bi40

Collaboration with Janssen Biotech, Inc. (Details) - Collaborative arrangement - USD ($) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Collaborative and license agreements
Share of collaboration development costs responsible by the entity (as a percent)	40.00%
Global - AbbVie's share of other costs (included in respective line items)		$ 59	$ 63
Outside of United States
Collaborative and license agreements
International - AbbVie's share of profits (included in net revenues)		94	56
Janssen Biotech, Inc
Collaborative and license agreements
Share of collaboration development costs responsible by Janssen (as a percent)	60.00%
Janssen Biotech, Inc | United States
Collaborative and license agreements
United States - Janssen's share of profits (included in cost of products sold)		$ 212	$ 153
Pharmacyclics Inc | Janssen Biotech, Inc
Collaborative and license agreements
Milestone payments	$ 200

Goodwill and Intangible Asset41

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Changes in the Carrying Amount of Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Goodwill
Goodwill, beginning balance	$ 15,416
Foreign currency translation adjustments	74
Goodwill, ending balance	$ 15,490

Goodwill and Intangible Asset42

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Accumulated goodwill impairment losses	$ 0
Amortization of intangible assets	271,000,000	$ 165,000,000
Impairment charges	0	0
On-market product rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Impairment charges	$ 0	$ 39,000,000

Goodwill and Intangible Asset43

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - Summary of Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	$ 24,280	$ 24,273
Accumulated amortization	(5,641)	(5,366)
Net carrying amount	18,639	18,907
Intangible assets
Indefinite-lived research and development	9,990	9,990
Net carrying amount - Indefinite-lived research and development	9,990	9,990
Total intangible assets gross carrying amount	34,270	34,263
Accumulated amortization - Total intangible assets	(5,641)	(5,366)
Total intangible assets, net	28,629	28,897
Developed product rights
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	16,471	16,464
Accumulated amortization	(4,451)	(4,256)
Net carrying amount	12,020	12,208
License agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount	7,809	7,809
Accumulated amortization	(1,190)	(1,110)
Net carrying amount	$ 6,619	$ 6,699

Restructuring Plans (Details)

Restructuring Plans (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Restructuring reserve activity
Accrued balance beginning of the period	$ 87
Restructuring charges	16	$ 3
Payments and other adjustments	(30)
Accrued balance end of the period	$ 73

Financial Instruments and Fai45

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Financial instruments (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016EUR (€)
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in asset position	$ 95	$ 225
Foreign currency contracts in liability position	$ 420	376
Designated as hedging instrument | Net Investment Hedges | Senior notes
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Principal amount of unsecured senior notes | €			€ 3,600,000,000
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Duration of forward exchange contracts	18 months
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount of derivative instruments	$ 2,900	2,200
Approximate length of time over which accumulated gains and losses will be recognized in Cost of products sold	6 months
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedges | Prepaid expenses and other
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in asset position	$ 80	170
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedges | Other assets
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in asset position	3	0
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedges | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in liability position	18	5
Designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedges | Other long-term liabilities
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in liability position	12	0
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate contracts | Fair value hedges
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount of derivative instruments	11,800	11,800
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate contracts | Fair value hedges | Other assets
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in asset position	0	0
Designated as hedging instrument | Interest rate contracts | Fair value hedges | Other long-term liabilities
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in liability position	353	338
Not designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Notional amount of derivative instruments	6,200	6,600
Not designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Prepaid expenses and other
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in asset position	12	55
Not designated as hedging instrument | Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Derivative instruments, notional amount and fair value
Foreign currency contracts in liability position	$ 37	$ 33

Financial Instruments and Fai46

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Amount Of Gain/(Loss) Recognized For Derivative Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Derivative gain (loss), net	$ (44)	$ 190
Senior notes | Net Investment Hedges | Designated as hedging instrument
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Recognized pre-tax loss	100
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Gains (losses) recognized in other comprehensive income	(61)	(46)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Not designated as hedging instrument | Net foreign exchange loss
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Derivative gain (loss), net	(46)	(65)
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedges
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Pretax unrealized gains	129
Foreign currency forward exchange contracts | Cash Flow Hedges | Designated as hedging instrument | Cost of products sold
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Derivative gain (loss), net	17	1
Interest rate contracts | Fair value hedges | Designated as hedging instrument | Interest expense, net
Gain (loss) on derivatives
Derivative gain (loss), net	$ (15)	$ 254

Financial Instruments and Fai47

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Fair Value Measures (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets
Foreign currency contracts	$ 95	$ 225
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts	$ 420	376
Changes Measurement | Stemcentrx and BI | Change In Assumed Discount Rate
Liabilities
Discount rate change	0.50%
Contingent consideration liability change	$ 180
Changes Measurement | Stemcentrx and BI | Change In Assumed Probability Rate
Liabilities
Contingent consideration liability change	$ 360
Assumed probability rate change	500.00%
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Time deposits	$ 0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities
Total liabilities	34,896	34,589
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Time deposits	5	5
Total assets	5	5
Liabilities
Total liabilities	2,505	2,477
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Time deposits	42	37
Total assets	42	37
Liabilities
Total liabilities	0	0
Recurring
Assets
Cash and equivalents	4,740	5,100
Debt securities	2,490	1,974
Equity securities	65	76
Total assets	8,419	8,389
Liabilities
Interest rate hedges	353	338
Contingent consideration	4,298	4,213
Total liabilities	4,718	4,589
Recurring | Foreign Currency Contract
Assets
Foreign currency contracts	95	225
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts	67	38
Recurring | Time deposits
Assets
Time deposits	1,029	1,014
Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Cash and equivalents	727	1,191
Debt securities	0	0
Equity securities	65	76
Total assets	792	1,267
Liabilities
Interest rate hedges	0	0
Contingent consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Foreign Currency Contract
Assets
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Recurring | Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Time deposits
Assets
Time deposits	0	0
Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Cash and equivalents	4,013	3,909
Debt securities	2,490	1,974
Equity securities	0	0
Total assets	7,627	7,122
Liabilities
Interest rate hedges	353	338
Contingent consideration	0	0
Total liabilities	420	376
Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Foreign Currency Contract
Assets
Foreign currency contracts	95	225
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts	67	38
Recurring | Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Time deposits
Assets
Time deposits	1,029	1,014
Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Cash and equivalents	0	0
Debt securities	0	0
Equity securities	0	0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities
Interest rate hedges	0	0
Contingent consideration	4,298	4,213
Total liabilities	4,298	4,213
Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Foreign Currency Contract
Assets
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Liabilities
Foreign currency contracts	0	0
Recurring | Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Time deposits
Assets
Time deposits	$ 0	$ 0

Financial Instruments and Fai48

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Transfers of Assets or Liabilities Between The Fair Value Measurement Levels (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
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
Stemcentrx and BI
Reconciliation of the fair value measurements that use significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fair value at the beginning of the period	4,213,000,000
Change in fair value recognized in net earnings	85,000,000
Fair value at the end of the period	$ 4,298,000,000

Financial Instruments and Fai49

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Bases Used To Measure The Approximate Fair Values Of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Assets
Time deposits	$ 0	$ 0
Total assets	0	0
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	0	0
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	34,896	34,589
Total liabilities	34,896	34,589
Significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Assets
Time deposits	5	5
Total assets	5	5
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	400	377
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	25	25
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	2,080	2,075
Total liabilities	2,505	2,477
Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Assets
Time deposits	42	37
Total assets	42	37
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	0	0
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	0	0
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	0	0
Total liabilities	0	0
Book Value
Assets
Time deposits	47	42
Total assets	47	42
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	400	377
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	25	25
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	36,879	36,778
Total liabilities	37,304	37,180
Approximate fair value
Assets
Time deposits	47	42
Total assets	47	42
Liabilities
Short-term borrowings	400	377
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations	25	25
Long-term debt and lease obligations, excluding fair value hedges	36,976	36,664
Total liabilities	$ 37,401	$ 37,066

Financial Instruments and Fai50

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Available-for-sale Securities (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Available-for-sale Securities
Maximum maturity period of long-term debt securities (in years)	5 years
Amortized Cost	$ 2,512,000,000	$ 1,997,000,000
Gross unrealized, Gains	51,000,000	62,000,000
Gross unrealized, Losses	(8,000,000)	(9,000,000)
Fair Value	2,555,000,000	2,050,000,000
Other-than-temporary impairment losses recognized	0
Short-term investments
Available-for-sale Securities
Debt securities	452,000,000	309,000,000
Asset backed securities
Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	937,000,000	891,000,000
Gross unrealized, Gains	1,000,000	1,000,000
Gross unrealized, Losses	(4,000,000)	(4,000,000)
Fair Value	934,000,000	888,000,000
Corporate debt securities
Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	1,435,000,000	961,000,000
Gross unrealized, Gains	2,000,000	1,000,000
Gross unrealized, Losses	(2,000,000)	(2,000,000)
Fair Value	1,435,000,000	960,000,000
Other debt securities
Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	122,000,000	127,000,000
Gross unrealized, Gains	0	0
Gross unrealized, Losses	(1,000,000)	(1,000,000)
Fair Value	121,000,000	126,000,000
Equity securities
Available-for-sale Securities
Amortized Cost	18,000,000	18,000,000
Gross unrealized, Gains	48,000,000	60,000,000
Gross unrealized, Losses	(1,000,000)	(2,000,000)
Fair Value	$ 65,000,000	$ 76,000,000

Financial Instruments and Fai51

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Concentrations of Risk (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)VEF / $	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Concentration of Risk
Exchange rate | VEF / $		10
Net governmental receivables outstanding	$ 4,677		$ 4,758
DICOM
Concentration of Risk
Exchange rate | VEF / $		270
Asset devaluation loss		$ 298
Accounts receivable, net | Geographic Risk
Concentration of Risk
Concentrations risk (as a percent)	49.00%		51.00%
Total revenues | HUMIRA
Concentration of Risk
Concentrations risk (as a percent)	63.00%	60.00%
Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Spain | Geographic Risk
Concentration of Risk
Net governmental receivables outstanding	$ 244		$ 244
Saudi Arabia | Geographic Risk
Concentration of Risk
Net governmental receivables outstanding	125		122
Russia | Geographic Risk
Concentration of Risk
Net governmental receivables outstanding	$ 110		$ 110

Financial Instruments and Fai52

Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measures - Debt and Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016
Debt Instrument
Short-term borrowings	$ 400	$ 377
Commercial paper
Debt Instrument
Short-term borrowings	$ 400	$ 377
Weighted-average interest rate (as a percent)	1.10%		0.60%

Post-Employment Benefits (Detai

Post-Employment Benefits (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Defined benefit plans
Defined benefit and other post-employment plans
Employer contributions	$ 150	$ 150
AbbVie sponsored plans | Defined benefit plans
Defined benefit and other post-employment plans
Service cost	58	53
Interest cost	50	51
Expected return on plan assets	(95)	(89)
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs	26	22
Net periodic benefit cost	39	37
AbbVie sponsored plans | Other post-employment plans
Defined benefit and other post-employment plans
Service cost	7	7
Interest cost	6	6
Expected return on plan assets	0	0
Amortization of actuarial losses and prior service costs	1	0
Net periodic benefit cost	$ 14	$ 13

Equity - Stock based compensati

Equity - Stock based compensation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-tax compensation expense	$ 141	$ 138
Tax benefit	47	48
After-tax compensation expense	94	90
Cost of products sold
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-tax compensation expense	3	3
Research and development
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-tax compensation expense	64	63
Selling, general and administrative
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Pre-tax compensation expense	$ 74	$ 72

Equity - Stock Options (Details

Equity - Stock Options (Details) - Stock Options $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)$ / sharesshares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock options granted (in shares) | shares	1.2
Weighted-average grant-date fair value of the stock options granted (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 9.80
Unrecognized compensation cost | $	$ 33
Period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost	2 years

Equity - RSAs, RSUs and Perform

Equity - RSAs, RSUs and Performance Shares (Details) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)shares
RSUs and Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Shares granted (in shares) | shares	5.7
Fair market value of awards vested	$ 0
RSAs, RSUs, and Performance Shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unrecognized compensation cost	$ 408
Period for recognition of unrecognized compensation cost	2 years

Equity - Cash Dividends (Detail

Equity - Cash Dividends (Details) - $ / shares	Feb. 16, 2017	Oct. 28, 2016	Sep. 09, 2016	Jun. 16, 2016	Feb. 18, 2016
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Dividends paid (in dollars per share)	$ 0.64	$ 0.64	$ 0.57	$ 0.57	$ 0.57

Equity - Share Repurchase Progr

Equity - Share Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Feb. 16, 2017
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Amount authorized under stock repurchase program		$ 5,000,000,000
Shares repurchased (in shares)	7.8
Payment for shares repurchased on the open market	$ 500,000,000
Cash-settled open market purchases	285,000,000
Remaining authorized repurchase amount	$ 4,500,000,000

Equity - Accumulated Other Comp

Equity - Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI, beginning balance	$ 4,636
Other comprehensive income	44	$ 138
AOCI, ending balance	4,998
AOCI Attributable to Parent
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI, beginning balance	(2,586)	(2,561)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	51	126
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(7)	12
Other comprehensive income	44	138
AOCI, ending balance	(2,542)	(2,423)
Foreign currency translation adjustments
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI, beginning balance	(1,435)	(1,270)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	170	188
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	0	0
Other comprehensive income	170	188
AOCI, ending balance	(1,265)	(1,082)
Net investment hedging activities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI, beginning balance	140
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(64)
Other comprehensive income	(64)
AOCI, ending balance	76
Pension and post- employment benefits
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI, beginning balance	(1,513)	(1,378)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(8)	1
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	19	14
Other comprehensive income	11	15
AOCI, ending balance	(1,502)	(1,363)
Marketable security activities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI, beginning balance	46	47
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	2	(24)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(10)	(1)
Other comprehensive income	(8)	(25)
AOCI, ending balance	38	22
Cash flow hedging activities
AOCI Attributable to Parent, Net of Tax [Roll Forward]
AOCI, beginning balance	176	40
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(49)	(39)
Net losses (gains) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss	(16)	(1)
Other comprehensive income	(65)	(40)
AOCI, ending balance	$ 111	$ 0

Equity - Amounts Reclassified O

Equity - Amounts Reclassified Out Of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Pension and post- employment benefits
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income, before tax	$ 27	$ 22
Tax expense	(8)	(8)
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax	19	14
Cash flow hedging activities
Significant amounts reclassified out of each component of AOCI
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income, before tax	(17)	(1)
Tax expense	1	0
Reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income, after tax	$ (16)	$ (1)

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Effective tax rate	18.00%	24.00%
Potential change in unrecognized tax benefits	$ 231

Legal Proceedings and Conting62

Legal Proceedings and Contingencies (Details) $ in Millions	1 Months Ended				3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016investment_fund	Nov. 30, 2014individual	Sep. 30, 2014company	Aug. 31, 2013provider	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)direct_purchaserclaim	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)class_actionclaim	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)companyclaim	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)claim	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)claimlawsuit	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)claimend_payor_purchaser	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
Recorded accrual balance for litigation | $					$ 225	$ 225	$ 225	$ 225	$ 225	$ 225	$ 225
Number of individual putative class action lawsuit	5	5
AndroGel Antitrust Litigation
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
Number of generic companies with whom certain litigation related agreements were entered into | company							3
Number of individual plaintiff lawsuits | lawsuit									4
Number of purported class actions | class_action						3
Niaspan
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
Number of individual plaintiff lawsuits | lawsuit									4
Number of purported class actions | class_action						2
Number of healthcare benefit providers who filed lawsuits					3					10
Testosterone Replacement Therapy Products Liability Litigation
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
Numbers of claims are consolidated for pre-trial purposes					4,150	4,150	4,150	4,150	4,150	4,150
Number of claims pending					230	230	230	230	230	230
Allegation of proposed generic products infringing AbbVie's patents and seeking declaratory and injunctive relief | AndroGel Antitrust Litigation
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
Number of generic companies with whom certain litigation related agreements were entered into | company			2
Depakote
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
Number of claims pending					695	695	695	695	695	695
Percentage of pending claims in US District Courts								90.00%
Depakote | Sidney Hillman Health Center of Rochester, et al. v. AbbVie Inc., et al.
Legal Proceedings and Contingencies
Number of healthcare benefit providers who filed lawsuits | provider				3

Segment Information (Details)

Segment Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)segment	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments | segment	1
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	$ 6,538	$ 5,958
HUMIRA
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	4,118	3,577
IMBRUVICA
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	551	381
VIEKIRA
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	263	414
Lupron
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	194	190
Creon
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	185	150
Synagis
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	300	319
Synthroid
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	192	182
AndroGel
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	136	156
Kaletra
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	115	133
Sevoflurane
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	107	111
Duodopa
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	80	68
All other
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Total net revenues	$ 297	$ 277