What do dark and smelly urine mean?

Urine becomes darker and stronger-smelling when it is concentrated. Sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, or a hot day can reduce body fluid; Dehydration and Heat Exhaustion provide related information. Asparagus and some supplements or medicines can change odour without causing illness.

A strong smell alongside burning, urgency, frequent trips to the toilet, cloudy urine, pelvic discomfort, or fever may occur with a urinary infection. Dark urine with yellow skin or eyes, pale stools, or nausea can occur with liver or bile conditions such as Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. These symptoms need context and sometimes testing.

If you can drink normally, take regular fluids and see whether the appearance changes. Consider recent foods, vitamins, medicines, exercise, heat, and fluid loss. Do not start antibiotics without medical advice.

Arrange an appointment when the smell or colour persists, returns often, or has no obvious trigger. A clinician may request a urine sample and ask about pain, fever, discharge, and recent illness.

Seek prompt care for fever, chills, side or back pain, painful urination, blood in urine, or worsening lower abdominal pain. Get urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, very little urine, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

Ask if you need urine testing for infection or blood, whether a medicine or supplement could explain the change, and how much fluid is suitable for you. Share the start date and any fever, pain, urgency, or fluid loss.