Dark yellow urine even after drinking plenty of water

Urine may stay dark when fluid loss from sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever, or hot weather exceeds intake. A strong yellow colour can also follow B-vitamin supplements or certain medicines. If the colour is tea-coloured, brown, cloudy, or accompanied by a strong smell, the cause may be different from simple concentration. Dark urine can occur with liver or bile-flow problems, especially when the eyes or skin look yellow, stools become pale, or itching appears. Explore [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/) for related symptoms and [Dehydration](/conditions/dehydration/) for fluid-loss guidance.

Notice the shade in daylight and record when it appears, what you have drunk, recent exercise, supplements, and new medicines. Drink fluids regularly unless a clinician has prescribed a fluid restriction; avoid forcing large amounts quickly. Check whether the colour becomes lighter over the next several bathroom visits. After heat exposure, move somewhere cool and replace fluids gradually; [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/) has additional warning signs. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without checking with the prescriber.

Arrange a medical review if dark urine persists despite normal drinking, keeps returning, or comes with burning, reduced urine, swelling, unusual tiredness, or pain. Seek urgent help for confusion, fainting, inability to keep fluids down, severe weakness, or very little urine. Yellow eyes or skin, pale stools, fever, or pain under the right ribs need prompt assessment; liver infections such as [Hepatitis A](/conditions/hepatitis-a/) or [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/) are among the possibilities a clinician may consider.

Ask: Could my medicines or supplements change urine colour? Do I need a urine test or blood tests? What symptoms would suggest dehydration or a liver problem? Should I change my fluid intake if I have another medical condition?