Several medications can alter the color of urine, sometimes resulting in unexpected hues. Here are some common medications and the colors they can impart to urine:
- Antibiotics: Certain antibiotics, such as metronidazole (Flagyl) and nitrofurantoin (Macrobid), can cause urine to turn a reddish-brown color.
- Antimalarial drugs: Chloroquine and primaquine are antimalarial medications that may turn urine a darker shade of yellow or amber.
- Laxatives: Cascara and senna, which are often found in over-the-counter laxatives, can cause urine to appear brown.
- Phenazopyridine (Pyridium): This medication is used to relieve urinary discomfort and can turn urine orange or red.
- Phenothiazines: Medications such as promethazine (Phenergan) and chlorpromazine (Thorazine), which are used to treat psychiatric conditions and nausea, can turn urine pink or reddish-brown.
- Diuretics: Some diuretics, such as furosemide (Lasix), can cause urine to become more yellow due to increased elimination of water and electrolytes.
- Rifampin: This antibiotic used to treat tuberculosis can turn urine orange or red.
- Multivitamins: High doses of certain vitamins, particularly vitamin B2 (riboflavin), can cause urine to appear bright yellow or fluorescent green.
- Warfarin (Coumadin): This blood thinner can cause urine to appear pink or red.
- Methocarbamol (Robaxin): This muscle relaxant may turn urine green or blue.
It’s important to note that changes in urine color can also be caused by other factors such as dehydration, certain foods, and medical conditions. If you notice a significant change in urine color that cannot be attributed to medication, it’s advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.