What should you know about dark brown colored urine?

Urine becomes darker when it is concentrated, especially after sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or not drinking enough. Dehydration can also cause thirst, a dry mouth, dizziness, and passing urine less often. A brown, tea-like shade can occur when bilirubin enters urine during some liver or bile-duct problems; yellowing of the skin or eyes, pale stools, nausea, or upper-right abdominal discomfort makes this more concerning. Red-brown urine may contain blood, while muscle pigment after strenuous exertion can also darken it. The color alone cannot identify the cause.

Some foods, supplements, and medicines can change urine color. Note what you took and whether the change began after it. A symptom page on [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/) provides related guidance.

If you feel well and dehydration seems possible, rest somewhere cool and drink fluids gradually, unless a clinician has told you to restrict fluids. Check whether the next few times you urinate become lighter. Avoid strenuous activity until the color has settled, and do not stop prescribed medicines without advice. Record the color, timing, recent exercise, food, supplements, medicines, and other symptoms. If you have heavy sweating or heat symptoms, read about [Dehydration](/conditions/dehydration/) and [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/). Arrange a clinical review if the color persists, returns, or has no clear explanation.

Seek urgent medical help for dark urine with very little urine, severe muscle pain or weakness, fainting, confusion, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal pain, or yellow skin or eyes. Blood or clots in urine, painful urination with fever, or pain in the side or back also needs prompt assessment. Contact a clinician soon if the change continues despite drinking, follows a new medicine, or occurs with swelling, unusual tiredness, or pale stools. [Hepatitis A](/conditions/hepatitis-a/) and [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/) are among the liver conditions a clinician may consider when other features point that way.

Ask: Could this be dehydration or a medicine effect? Do I need a urine test, blood tests, or liver tests? Could exercise, bleeding, or a muscle problem explain the color? Which symptoms should make me seek urgent help? Bring a medicines and supplement list, and if possible describe the color in good lighting.