What Medications Can Change Urine Color?
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses medications that can change urine color.
Question
I was given a few different drugs for a UTI and I'm noticing my pee is a different color. Could it be the medication I am taking?
Answered by Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Medical Content Reviewed By HelloPharmacist
Staff
Last updated Apr 30, 2024
Key points
- Several common medications can change the color of urine, including ibuprofen, amitriptyline, and phenazopyridine.
- If you notice your urine color has changed, be sure to talk to your doctor or pharmacist. It could be from a new medication you are taking or, potentially, a medical condition.
Answer
Thanks so much for reaching out to us!
You don't mention in your question which medication(s) you are taking that could be contributing to a change in the color of your urine.
Since there are quite a number of drugs that have been linked to urine color changes, I've compiled the chart in the next section that lists most of the drugs associated with it.
List Of Drugs That Can Change Urine Color
Urine color changes from medications are due to either the dye used in the manufacturing process or the drug compound itself (which is then excreted in the urine, causing the color change).
If you do notice a change in color in your urine when you start a new medication, it likely is the culprit (check the list below), but it is important to note that there are a number of medical conditions associated with color changes too (e.g. dehydrated individuals will have very dark or rust-colored urine).
I recommend talking to your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any changes in your urine color as the cause can often be determined through knowledge of the medications you take, conditions you may have, or, with a urinalysis.
| Drug | Color Change |
| Aminopyrine | brown, red, red-brown, pink |
| Aminosalicylic acid | yellow-brown |
| Amitriptyline | blue-green, green |
| Anthraquinone | blue, red, green, blue-green, brown, pink |
| Antipyrine | green, red |
| Aspirin | pink |
| Azuresin | blue, blue-green, green |
| Beet Supplements | red-brown, red |
| Benzene | red-brown |
| Bismuth (Pepto-Bismol) | yellow-brown |
| Blackberry Supplements | red |
| Carrot Supplements | rust, yellow |
| Chloroquine | rust, brown, yellow-brown, red |
| Chlorpromazine | red |
| Chlorzoxazone | orange, orange-red, red-purple |
| Choline Salicylate | pink |
| Chrysarobin | red |
| Cimetidine | blue, green |
| Cotrimoxazole (In Bactrim) | black |
| Danthron | brown |
| Danthsone | red |
| Daunorubicin | red |
| Dimethylsulfoxide | red |
| DMSO | red |
| Doan's pills | blue-green |
| Doxorubicin | red |
| Dyrenium | blue |
| Entacapone | yellow, orange, brown-orange |
| Ethoxazene | orange, red, orange-red, pink |
| Ferrous salts (iron) | black, dark |
| Furadantin | rust |
| Furazolidone | brown, yellow-brown, dark, orange-brown, rust |
| Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) | rust, brown, yellow, yellow-brown, red |
| Heparin | orange, red |
| Hydroquinone | brown, brown-green, dark, green |
| Ibuprofen | red, red-purple |
| Indomethacin (Indocin) | green |
| Iron dextran | black |
| Isoniazid | yellow-orange |
| Isosorbide | brown-black |
| Levodopa | black, brown, dark |
| Magnesium salicylate | blue, green |
| Mannose | orange |
| Methocarbamol (Robaxin) | black, blue, brown, green |
| Methyldopa | black, red, red-brown, brown, pink |
| Metronidazole (Flagyl) | brown, dark, yellow-brown, brown-black, rust |
| Mitoxantrone | blue-green |
| Naphthalene | black |
| Naphthol | dark |
| Niridazole | dark |
| Nitazoxanide | green-yellow |
| Nitrates | brown-black |
| Oxyphenbutazone | red, red-brown |
| Phenacetin | black, red, red-brown, rust, brown, dark, red-purple, yellow, brown-black |
| Phenazopyridine | orange-red, red, pink |
| Phenytoin | pink, red-brown, red |
| Promethazine | blue, green |
| Propofol | white, pink, green |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B-2) | dark, rust, orange, orange-yellow, red, brown, yellow |
| Rifabutin | brown, orange |
| Rifampin | orange-red |
| Salicylates | pink |
| Senna | brown, red, red-purple, rust, yellow-pink, yellow-brown, red-brown, pink, brown-black |
| Sulfasalazine | orange-yellow, orange, yellow |
| Sulfonamides | rust, black, brown, yellow-brown |
| Thymol | blue-green, brown, dark, black, green, blue |
| Triamterene | blue |
| Warfarin | orange, red-brown |
Final Words
Thanks again for reaching out to us and we look forward to hearing back from you if anything else comes up!
-
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
- 7573 views
About the Pharmacist
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Dr. Brian has been practicing pharmacy for over 13 years and has wide-ranging experiences in many different areas of the profession. From retail, clinical, program development, and administrative responsibilities, he's your knowledgeable and go-to source for all your pharmacy and medication-related questions! Dr. Brian Staiger also has herbalist training and educational certificates in the field of medical ethnobotany. Feel free to send him an email at [email protected]! You can also connect with Dr. Brian Staiger on LinkedIn.
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