This article discusses orange urine and some of its possible causes, including diet, medication, and certain health conditions. It explains how orange pee can provide clues about your health and when you may need to call your healthcare provider.
Causes of Orange Pee
Your kidneys filter between 120 and 150 quarts of blood each day. Urine is a byproduct of this process. Most people produce 1 to 2 quarts of urine per day.
Urine consists mostly of extra fluid and waste products the body can’t use. It is stored in the bladder until it can be expelled from the body.
Urine gets its signature color from a pigment called urochrome, which is created when dead blood cells are broken down. The more concentrated urine is, the more urochrome it contains and the brighter in color it will be.
Orange urine can be a sign of a few different conditions. In most cases, there’s a simple explanation for orange urine.
These are the most common reasons your urine might turn orange.
Dehydration
Water from the fluids you drink dilutes, or waters down, your urine. You can also get water from things you eat, like juicy fruits and vegetables.
If your urine is orange or dark yellow, it’s probably because you aren’t well hydrated. This means you aren’t drinking enough water or getting fluids from other sources.
Because you don’t drink while asleep, you may notice your urine is darker in the morning. Your urine might also be darker after a sweaty workout. This is because you lose fluids when you sweat.
Diet and Supplements
Orange urine may be related to what you eat and drink. Food and drink that is red, orange, or very dark yellow can darken urine. This is mostly because these foods contain beta-carotene.
Carrots and carrot juice are examples of food and drink that might darken your urine. For a small number of people (about 14%), beets may have the same effect. Beet-tinted urine may look more red than orange.
You also might notice orange urine after taking high doses of certain vitamins and supplements, including:
Vitamin C Beta-carotene Vitamin B12
Medications
If your urine is orange, it could be because of a drug you’re taking. These are some common culprits:
Laxatives: Some laxatives contain the herb senna. Senna is used to relieve constipation. These laxatives might cause reddish-orange urine. Senokot (docusate and senna) is an example of this type of laxative. Pyridium, Uristat, and other drugs containing phenazopyridine: These are usually prescribed to treat pain from urinary tract infections. Phenazopyridine can also discolor other things it touches. Rifadin and Rimactane (rifampin): This antibiotic is used to treat tuberculosis and certain bacteria in the nose and throat. Some drugs, like IsonaRif and Rifamate, contain a combination of rifampin and isoniazid. These drugs may also cause orange urine. Azulfidine (sulfasalazine): This is an anti-inflammatory medication used to treat ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. A delayed-release version is sometimes prescribed for people with rheumatoid arthritis. Azulfidine can turn urine orange. It may also cause the skin to take on a yellow tinge. Neither of these side effects is harmful. Adriamycin (doxorubicin): This is a powerful chemotherapy drug that’s given intravenously, through a needle into a vein. This drug can cause orange or reddish urine for a day or two after treatment.
Bile Duct or Liver Disease
Orange urine may be a sign of cholestasis. This is when the flow of bile stops between the liver and the small intestine. Bile is a digestive fluid that’s produced in the liver.
When this happens, bilirubin can build up and escape into the bloodstream. Bilirubin is a yellowish substance in bile. A buildup of bilirubin in the blood will eventually tint the urine.
Cholestasis has a number of potential causes, including:
Acute hepatitis, inflammation of the liver, usually due to infection Alcoholic liver disease Use of Moxatag (amoxicillin), an antibiotic Certain oral contraceptives
It is important to detect and treat cholestasis promptly. Early treatment can prevent further damage to your liver or bile ducts.
Very pale stools Jaundice, a yellowish tint to the skin and eyes Itchy skin Abdominal pain Loss of appetite Vomiting Fever
If you experience any of these, see a healthcare provider. Blood tests and, if necessary, an ultrasound or biopsy of your liver can help diagnose your condition.
Summary
Urine is usually a pale shade of yellow. A number of things could make it a darker color like orange.
Usually, orange pee means you need to take in more fluids. It may also be an effect of something you ate, or a medication or supplement you’re taking.
Sometimes orange urine is a symptom of a more serious illness, like bile duct or liver disease. If your orange urine doesn’t resolve on its own or you have other symptoms like pale stools and stomach problems, it’s a good idea to see a healthcare provider.
