Top 3 Drugs That Change Urine Color

My pee is orange! What’s wrong with me? Medications can cause some goofy side effects. One of the most unique adverse effects is the change in urine color. In this blog post, I will outline my top 5 drugs that change urine color.

Antibiotics That Change Urine Color

Nitrofurantoin is an antibiotic used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. Nitrofurantoin can cause the color of the urine to change into a brownish color. This can be a tricky one for patients because these patients already have a UTI. If not properly educated, many patients will be concerned that their infection is getting worse because the color of their urine has changed.

Rifampin is another antibiotic that tops my list of drugs that change urine color. Although well-known for its enzyme-inducing and drug interaction potential, rifampin is also well-known for its ability to turn urine into a reddish-brown color. Moreso than other medications, rifampin has a significant potential to change the color of other secretions as well. The use of rifampin can also discolor body fluids such as tears, sweat, and saliva. The typical color of these secretions is similar to urine (reddish-brown).

Other Medications That Change Urine Color

Phenazopyridine is a medication used to alleviate symptoms of painful urination. It is proposed to have a local anesthetic-type effect on the urinary tract. This medication can turn the urine orange.

Phenytoin, amitriptyline, and propofol deserve honorable mention for causing changes in urine color. What other drugs have you seen change the color of the urine?

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