URINE COLOR CHANGES WITH COMMONLY USED DRUGS

Question 1

Color:

Pale, diuresis

Answer 1

Drug:

Alcohol, ethyl

Question 2

Color:

Reddish, alkaline; yellow-brown, acid

Answer 2

Drug:

Anthraquinone laxatives (senna, cascara)

Question 3

Color:

Red

Answer 3

Drug:

> Chlorzoxazone (Paraflex) (muscle relaxant)

> Deferoxamine mesylate (Desferal) (chelates iron)

Question 4

Color:

Orange, red

Answer 4

Drug:

Ethoxazene (Serenium) (urinary analgesic)

Question 5

Color:

Yellow

Answer 5

Drug:

> Fluorescein sodium (given IV)

> Mepacrine (Atabrine) (antimalarial) (intestinal worms, Giardia)

Question 6

Color:

Brown

Answer 6

Drug:

Furazolidone (Furoxone) (Tricofuron) (an antibacterial, antiprotozoal nitrofuran)

Question 7

Color:

Blue

Answer 7

Drug:

Indigo carmine dye (renal function, cytoscopy)

Question 8

Color:

Brown on standing

Answer 8

Drug:

Iron sorbitol (Jectofer) (possibly other iron compounds forming iron sulfide in urine)

Question 9

Color:

Red then brown, alkaline

Answer 9

Drug:

Levodopoa (L-dopa) (for parkinsonism)

Question 10

Color:

Green-brown

Answer 10

Drug:

Methacarbamol (Robaxin) (muscle relaxant)

Question 11

Color:

Darken; if oxidizing agents present, red to brown

Answer 11

Drug:

Methyldopa (Aldomet) (antihypertensive)

Question 12

Color:

Blue, blue-green

Answer 12

Drug:

Methylene blue (used to delineate fistulas)

Question 13

Color:

Darkening, reddish brown

Answer 13

Drug:

Metronidazole (Flagyl) (for Trichomonas infection, amebiasis, Giardia)

Question 14

Color:

Brown-yellow

Answer 14

Drug:

Nitrofurantoin (Furadantin) (antibacterial)

Question 15

Color:

Orange-red, acid pH

Answer 15

Drug:

Phenazopyridine (Pyridium) (urinary analgesic), also compounded with sulfonamides (Azo Gantrisin, etc.)

Question 16

Color:

Orange, alkaline; color disappears on acidifying

Answer 16

Drug:

Phenindione (Hedulin) (anticoagulant) (important to distinguish from hematuria)

Question 17

Color:

Brown; oxidized to quinines (green)

Answer 17

Drug:

Phenol poisoning

Question 18

Color:

Red-purple, alkaline pH

Answer 18

Drug:

Phenolphthalein (purgative)

Question 19

Color:

Pink-red, alkaline pH

Answer 19

Drug:

Phenolsulfonphthalein (also sulfobromophthalein)

Question 20

Color:

Bright orange-red

Answer 20

Drugs:

Rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane) (tuberculosis therapy)

Question 21

Color:

Bright yellow

Answer 21

Drug:

Riboflavin (multivitamins)

Question 22

Color:

Orange-yellow, alkaline pH

Answer 22

Drug:

Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) (for ulcerative colitis)