What should you know about dark reddish-orange urine?

Orange-red urine can be concentrated when the body has lost fluid through sweating, fever, vomiting, or diarrhoea. Blood anywhere along the urinary tract may create a pink, red, or rusty appearance, sometimes with burning, urgency, a strong need to urinate, or side pain. Bile pigments associated with liver or bile-flow problems can make urine dark orange or brown and may occur with yellow skin, pale stools, nausea, or itching. Foods, supplements, and medicines can also change urine colour. This appearance is a sign to interpret with other symptoms, not a diagnosis and not proof of cancer. The symptom is also covered in [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/).

Check whether the colour lightens after normal fluid intake, and note the time it began. Keep a list of new medicines, vitamins, supplements, foods, recent exercise, fever, and urinary symptoms. If you feel well but the change remains or has no obvious explanation, book a medical review. Testing may include urinalysis and blood tests, with the choice guided by your history and examination. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice.

Seek urgent care if you cannot urinate, see substantial blood or clots, develop severe abdominal or back pain, feel faint or confused, or have high fever with vomiting or weakness. Arrange prompt advice for yellow eyes, pale stools, swelling, or worsening symptoms. After prolonged heat exposure, dizziness, headache, nausea, and weakness can signal [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/).

Ask what the colour most likely represents after examination, whether urine testing can identify blood or infection, and whether liver or kidney blood tests are needed. Tell the clinician about fluid loss, travel, new products, and any change in urine amount.