Food can cause red urine
Much like pink urine color, a red urine color can sometimes be caused by certain foods you have eaten, especially when those foods have heavy dyes.
Blood in urine can also cause red urine
Alternatively, red urine color can be caused by Hematuria. Hematuria, or blood in the urine, will cause a dark or red urine. Blood in urine is a serious matter and may be a symptom of a serious medical issue related to your kidney, prostate or bladder. Seek medical attention immediately if you notice blood in your urine.
Red urine can be a scary sight, since it may indicate that there is blood in your urine. That being said, don't freak out. You just need to pay attention to any recent changes in your diet and overall feeling of health.
Ask yourself these important questions when you notice a red urine color.
- What have I eaten or drunk lately?
- Does you experience painful urination?
- How long have I noticed a red urine color?
- Is it difficult to urinate? Do I have difficulty urinating?
If you notice a red urine color, take note of the frequency. How often does it occur, and how long has your urine been red? Is your red urine color accompanied by other symptoms such as painful urination? Red urine accompanied by painful urination can be a sign of blood in urine, or hematuria
As you can guess, if you don’t think the red urine color is caused by food you’ve eaten, especially if you notice the red urine color frequently, then stop pondering life and go see a doctor immediately.
Here are some of the more common causes of Red Urine color:
Drugs and chemicals that may cause a red urine color
- Anisindione - sold as Miradon, this is an anticoagulant is used to prevent clots from forming.
- Cerubidine - a chemotherapy drug. Also known as Daunomycin or Daunorubicin.
- Laxatives may cause red urine due to artificial colors in the laxative and also due to the diuretic.
- Phenolphthalein - used as a laxative
- Prochlorperazine - sold as Compazine, Buccastem, Stemetil and Phenotil, this antipsychotic is usually used to treat vertigo and nausea.
- Pyridium - can cause orange urine
- Rifampin - a bactericidal antibiotic that may turn urine a red or orange color.
- Senna - compounds called anthraquinones are used in laxatives
- Thorazine - The chlorpromazine drug is used as an antipsychotic
- Tranquilizers - Certain tranquilizers may have dyes and some may affect your urine color
- Vitamin B - Found in many supplements, this can cause red or orange urine
- Warfarin - sold as Coumadin, Jantoven, Marevan, and Waran, this anticoagulant is used to treat blood clots.
Foods that may cause a red urine color
- Beets or Beetroot
- Blackberries
- Rhubarb