If your urine is dark

A darker shade after sleep, exercise, hot weather, or sweating may reflect concentrated urine. Food dyes, supplements, and some medicines can also alter colour. Brown urine with yellow skin or eyes, pale stools, itching, or nausea can occur with liver or bile conditions. Red or smoky urine may contain blood and should not be dismissed, particularly when there is pain or burning. See the overview of [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/) for related symptoms.

Drink fluids at a comfortable, regular pace if you can normally do so, and compare the next few urine samples. Replace fluid after sweating and move to a cool place if heat exposure was involved; [Dehydration](/conditions/dehydration/) and [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/) can both affect urine output. Record the colour, timing, recent foods, supplements, medicines, and any pain, fever, or bowel symptoms.

Contact a clinician if dark urine does not settle with usual fluid intake, occurs repeatedly, or is accompanied by pain, fever, burning, blood, swelling, or less urine than usual. Get urgent help for fainting, confusion, severe weakness, severe abdominal or flank pain, or persistent vomiting. Dark urine together with jaundice warrants prompt review, including consideration of [Hepatitis A](/conditions/hepatitis-a/) or [Hepatitis B](/conditions/hepatitis-b/) when clinically appropriate.

Ask what colour and duration are concerning, whether your medicines could be responsible, and whether urine, liver, kidney, or blood testing is needed.