What should you know about brown and cloudy urine?

Urine may look darker when you have not had enough fluid, while cloudiness can reflect cells, crystals, mucus, or pus. A urinary tract infection may bring burning, urgency, frequent urination, or an unusual smell. A kidney infection can cause pain in the side or back, fever, chills, nausea, or feeling very unwell. Brown urine can also reflect blood or other changes that need testing; colour alone cannot identify the cause.

Notice when the change began, whether it follows exercise or a new medicine, and whether there is pain, fever, burning, or reduced urine. Drink your usual safe amount of fluid unless a clinician has restricted fluids. Do not use leftover antibiotics. Arrange a urine assessment if the colour or cloudiness does not clear, returns, or is accompanied by urinary symptoms.

Seek urgent help for brown or cloudy urine with severe side or back pain, fever with chills, vomiting, confusion, fainting, or marked weakness. Prompt assessment is also needed for visible blood, inability to pass urine, or rapidly worsening illness. Pregnancy, kidney disease, or a weakened immune system lowers the threshold for calling a clinician.

Ask whether you need urine testing, kidney-function checks, or treatment for infection. Mention fluid restrictions, recent exercise, medicines and supplements, menstrual bleeding, pregnancy, and any previous urinary or kidney problems.