What does dark brown urine mean?

Urine may look brown when it is highly concentrated after fluid loss. Brown or tea-coloured urine can also reflect blood, bile pigments from liver or bile-duct problems, or muscle pigment released after strenuous activity or injury. Some medicines and foods can alter urine colour as well. Colour alone cannot identify which explanation applies.

Check for clues such as thirst, dry mouth, reduced urination, pain or burning, fever, side pain, yellow eyes, itching, or recent heavy exercise. A clinician can use a urine sample and, when needed, blood tests to separate these possibilities.

If you have no fluid restriction, sip water regularly and observe whether the urine returns toward its usual colour. Do not stop prescribed medicine without advice, but make a list of every medicine and supplement you take. Seek a routine appointment if the change persists or recurs, even without pain.

Get urgent help for brown urine with severe pain, fever, vomiting, confusion, fainting, markedly reduced urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes, or visible blood. Dark urine after a major muscle injury or unusually intense exertion also warrants prompt advice.

What causes are most relevant given my other symptoms and medicines? Should my urine be checked for blood, infection, or pigment? Do I need liver or kidney blood tests?