Why Is My Pee Orange? Potential Causes to Know

The Unmentionables is a series that answers common questions we all have about our bodies but are sometimes afraid to ask.

Urine (pee) should be a light yellow color. But lots of different things can make your urine look different. These include dehydration, medications, or a more serious underlying medical condition. In this article, we’ll focus on a specific question and color: “Why is my urine orange?” 

Read on to learn more about what your urine color means, whether it’s orange or dark yellow, and what you should do about it.

What does the color of your pee say about your health? 

Urine is the product that your kidneys filter from your blood. It contains extra water and waste that your body doesn’t need. Your kidneys send urine to your bladder. Then you urinate it out. 

The color of your urine can depend on different factors, including:

• How hydrated you are

• Any supplements or medications you take

• Health conditions

• Infections

What color should urine be?

Normal urine can range in color from light yellow to dark yellow. But why is pee yellow? The yellow color is due to bilirubin, a waste product that’s created when your red blood cells are recycled.

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• Can your medications change your urine color? Yes, from brown and red to green and blue, these medications can change the color of your urine.

• Got clear urine? Clear pee usually means you’re very hydrated. But there are some other causes.

• Does your pee smell off? From foods and medications to dehydration, many things can make your urine smell differently. Learn the common causes.

Causes of orange pee 

Orange urine can be caused by a variety of factors. Often, it’s harmless and happens because you’re dehydrated. It may also happen because of something you ate or drank. Sometimes, it can be a sign of an underlying health problem. It can be orange due to high levels of bilirubin or from blood in your urine.

Can dehydration cause orange pee? Why is your pee dark yellow in the morning?

Dehydration is a common cause of darker-colored urine. This is common in the morning with your first urine of the day. It can also be dark if you haven’t been drinking enough water or if you’re exercising and losing fluids.

Is your diet causing orange pee? 

What you eat can also impact the color of your urine. For example, when you eat food that’s deeply colored, such as carrots or beets, it may turn your urine pink or red.

Are your vitamins or supplements causing orange pee?

Certain vitamins or supplements can also cause your urine to turn orange or fluorescent yellow (neon yellow). These include:

• Beta-carotene

• Riboflavin (vitamin B2) 

• Vitamin C

Do medications change the color of your urine?

Absolutely. Several medications can make your urine turn orange, including:

• Phenazopyridine (Pyridium): Phenazopyridine is commonly used to treat pain from a urinary tract infection (UTI). 

• Rifampin (Rifamycins): This antibiotic is often used to treat tuberculosis, and it can turn your urine orange.

• Senna: This laxative can make your urine turn orange.

• Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine): This is an anti-inflammatory medication used for ulcerative colitis. It can turn your urine dark yellow or orange (and can even make your skin look more yellow).

• Doxorubicin: This chemotherapy medication can turn your urine orange.

• Deferoxamine (Desferal): This is a medication used to treat iron overdoses. Because it helps your body get rid of iron through the urine, it can turn your urine a rusty color.

• Entacapone (Comtan) and tolcapone (Tasmar): About 1 in 10 people who use these Parkinson’s medications have orange urine.

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If you notice a urine color change after starting a medication, contact a healthcare professional.

Do you have a serious health condition causing your orange pee? 

Some underlying health conditions can also change the color of your urine. These include:

• Bile duct or liver disease: If there’s a problem in your liver or bile ducts and bilirubin increases in the bloodstream, it can cause orange urine. 

• Kidney disease: Certain health conditions related to your kidneys can cause dark urine, which may look orange or brown.

• UTI: Infections can also cause dark-colored urine, often in addition to other symptoms like pain with urination.

Can an STI change the color of your urine?

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) won’t typically change the color of your urine. But they could cause other symptoms, such as burning with urination or vaginal discharge. If you have questions about STIs, ask your healthcare professional about testing.

What are some healthy things you can do if your urine is pungent and discolored?

If you notice that your urine looks dark or has a strong odor, the first step is to talk with a healthcare professional. Changes in your urine can be a sign of a more serious health condition. Before your visit, try to drink more water.

Why trust our experts?

Written by:

Christina Palmer, MD

Christina Palmer, MD, is a board-certified family physician with a special interest in chronic care management, women’s health, mental health, and preventive care. She has over 10 years of experience in primary care research, innovation, and practice.

Edited by:

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN

Alex Eastman, PhD, RN, is a California-based registered nurse and staff medical editor at GoodRx, where he focuses on clinical updates and Latino health.

Reviewed by:

Farzon A. Nahvi, MD

Dr. Nahvi is an emergency medicine physician and author of “Code Gray: Death, Life, and Uncertainty in the ER.” He works clinically at Concord Hospital in Concord, New Hampshire, and is a clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. Prior to this, he worked as an ER physician and clinical assistant professor of emergency medicine at the Mount Sinai Health System, NYU Langone Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, and the Manhattan VA. He is a graduate of Cornell University and NYU School of Medicine.

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