What should you know about dark brown urine?

Urine can look dark brown when it is concentrated after sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or inadequate fluid intake. Dehydration may cause thirst, dry mouth, dizziness, and reduced urination. Brown or tea-colored urine with yellow eyes or skin, pale stools, nausea, or abdominal discomfort can point to bilirubin and a liver or bile-duct problem. Blood may make urine red-brown, while muscle pigment can darken it after intense exertion. The same color can have different causes, so appearance alone is not enough.

Foods, supplements, and medicines may also change urine. Think about what changed recently and whether the color is present every time. The related [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/) page explains the symptom more broadly.

If you suspect fluid loss and feel otherwise well, rest and drink fluids gradually, unless you have a prescribed fluid restriction. Recheck the color and amount of urine rather than forcing large amounts at once. Avoid strenuous exercise until the reason is clearer. Keep notes about heat, illness, exercise, medicines, supplements, pain, fever, and when the change began. Read about [Dehydration](/conditions/dehydration/) or [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/) if heat or sweating was involved. Arrange an appointment when the change persists, recurs, or has no obvious explanation.

Seek urgent care for confusion, fainting, very little urine, severe weakness, severe muscle pain, repeated vomiting, intense abdominal pain, or inability to pass urine. Prompt review is needed for visible blood or clots, fever with painful urination, or yellow skin and eyes. Liver infections such as [Hepatitis A](/conditions/hepatitis-a/) and [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/) may be considered when jaundice or other compatible symptoms are present, but dark urine alone does not identify the cause.

Ask what causes are most relevant given your symptoms and medicines. Would urine testing distinguish blood, bilirubin, infection, or muscle pigment? Do you need blood tests? Should you pause exercise or a supplement? Which change in urine amount, pain, fever, or skin color should trigger urgent care?