This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Sign in
Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Red urine

Authoring team

Causes include:

  • haematuria
  • foods - such as beetroot
  • drugs:
    • phenolphthalein
    • rifampicin
  • disease processes:
    • myoglobinuria
    • haemoglobinuria
    • porphyria

Notes:

  • urine may be apparently red as result of blood from other sources - menstrual blood or perianal blood
  • red in acid urine only - beetroot, blackberries
  • red in alkaline urine only - anthraquinone laxatives, rhubarb, santonin; eosin produces green fluorescence
  • porphyrins - urine darkens on standing
  • urine turns red on contact with hypochlorite bleach (toilet bowl cleaner) - aminosalicylic acid

Related pages

Create an account to add page annotations

Create a free account

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2025 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.