Gallstones and brown urine: what it can mean

Gallstones form in the gallbladder, but a stone can move into a bile duct. If bile cannot drain normally, bilirubin can build up in the bloodstream and pass into urine, making it dark brown, tea-coloured or cola-coloured. Yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, pale stools and generalised itching can occur at the same time.

Urine can also look darker after dehydration, or because of some medicines, foods or blood in the urinary tract. Gallstones are therefore not the only possible explanation. Brown urine that persists, or appears with upper abdominal pain, nausea or vomiting, should be assessed rather than self-diagnosed.

Arrange a same-day medical assessment if your urine has become brown and you have known or suspected gallstones. A clinician may examine your abdomen, review your symptoms and arrange blood tests or imaging to look for bile-duct blockage and inflammation. Keep drinking fluids unless a clinician has told you to restrict them, and note when the colour change began.

Do not take leftover antibiotics or delay care while waiting for the colour to clear. Avoid alcohol until you have been assessed, and seek advice before taking new medicines if you have jaundice or liver problems.

Seek urgent medical help if brown urine occurs with severe or worsening abdominal pain, fever or chills, repeated vomiting, confusion, fainting, marked weakness, or yellow skin or eyes. These symptoms can accompany infection or obstruction in the bile ducts, which may worsen without treatment.

If you cannot keep fluids down, have very little urine, or feel seriously unwell, use emergency services. Do not drive yourself if pain, weakness or confusion makes travel unsafe.

Ask what may be causing the colour change, whether you need liver-function blood tests or an ultrasound, and which symptoms should prompt emergency review. You can also ask whether a stone may be blocking a bile duct and what follow-up is needed for your gallstones.