Drinking lots of water but urine is still dark

Urine can remain dark if fluid losses from sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, or heat exceed intake. Dark yellow urine may improve after steady hydration, while brown, tea-coloured, red, or cola-coloured urine has other possible explanations. Some foods, vitamins, and medicines alter colour. Yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, itching, upper-right abdominal pain, or unusual tiredness can occur with liver inflammation such as Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. Muscle injury can release pigment into urine, and blood from the urinary tract can also change its appearance.

Check the colour in good light and note when it began, how much you are passing, recent exercise, heat exposure, illness, foods, and medicines. Drink normally and steadily rather than forcing large amounts quickly. If you have been sweating heavily, move to a cool place and rest. Do not stop prescribed medicine without advice. Arrange a clinical review if the colour remains dark after hydration, keeps returning, or comes with burning, fever, pain, swelling, or reduced urine.

Seek urgent help for very dark urine with severe muscle pain or weakness, inability to pass urine, severe abdominal pain, confusion, fainting, or yellow skin with vomiting. Medical assessment may include a urine test and blood tests to check hydration, kidney function, liver markers, and blood or muscle pigment.

Ask whether your colour fits Dehydration, whether medicines or supplements are involved, and whether liver or urinary tests are needed.