What Causes Black Urine?

Food Causes

You can get black urine from eating large amounts of foods that have either natural or artificial dyes in them, or react with your urine to turn it black or dark brown. Food causes of black coloured urine include:

• Aloe. Although it’s best known as a skin tonic, some people drink aloe tea or aloe juice. Aloe contains certain acids, which if taken in large quantities, cause black urine. Whilst aloe juice is not considered dangerous, aloe sap contains a chemical called aloin, which may cause kidney disease, so it should be avoided.

• Fava Beans. These beans, also known as broad beans or horse beans, contain high amounts of a compound called L-DOPA. Although people naturally produce L-DOPA inside their bodies, large quantities will cause urine to turn black or brown.

• Rhubarb. This vegetable is well-known for changing the color of your urine. Small amounts make your pee turn orange, whereas larger quantities can leave you with black-colored urine.

• Sorbitol. Sorbitol is a sweet-tasting molecule found naturally in fruit, including pears, peaches, prunes and apples. It’s also used as a sweetener in products such as sugar-free gum, soft drinks, ice cream, cough syrup and mints. In addition to black urine, excess sorbitol can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and stomach upsets.

Medicinal Causes

The chemicals you use and medicines you take may have an effect on the color of your urine and can be dangerous for your health. The list of medication causes of black urine is quite long, so whatever you are taking, always read the information leaflet regarding side effects. Here we list five common medicines that can cause the black urine.

• Iodine. Betadine solution, containing povidone iodine, is used for cleaning wounds. It’s also commonly applied to the skin before operations, and can be used as a cough medicine. However, too much Betadine in your system can make your urine turn black.

• Anti-Malarials. Chloroquine and primaquine are anti-malarial drugs that may change the color of your urine. Chloroquine is also an effective immunosuppressant for treating lupus and arthritis, whilst primaquine can also be used for pneumonia patients.

• Senna/Cascara. These common stimulative laxative agents can cause darkened urine, which may appear dark yellow, brown, or black in color. Chronic use of these laxatives can also damage your liver.

• Phenol Poisoning. This is contracted through contact with disinfectants, for example, not washing your hands after cleaning, or not using gloves. The phenols from cleaning chemicals are oxidized to hydroquinone and pyrocatechol, causing a condition called carboluria, with green or black urine.

• Methocarbamol. This is used as a muscle relaxant – often prescribed in addition to physical therapy and/or rest to treat skeletal muscle spasms. It’s usually sold under the trade names Rabdolax, Robaxin, or Robaxisal.

Health Causes

Black urine can also be a symptom of many different health problems. Whilst some health causes of black coloured urine are minor, others could be life-threatening, so it's important to see your doctor as soon as possible.

• Blackwater Fever. This is often seen as a complication from malaria treatment. During the illness, there is a large breakdown of red blood cells. This releases red hemoglobin pigments, which are passed through to the urine, turning it red or black.

• Alkaptonuria. This is a recessive genetic condition where the body doesn’t produce enough enzymes to break down the amino acid tyrosine. This causes buildup of a by-product known as homogentisic acid. Urine containing homogentisic acid turns a variety of colors, including black, if left out in the open air.

• Melanogen. After exposure to the sun, the body releases melanogen, a precursor to the molecule melanin, which makes your skin tan. Although melanogen is colorless, excessive quantities may end up in the urine, where it is converted to melanin. Melanin can turn the urine black or brown when it is exposed to air.

• Porphyria Cutanea Tarda. There are many types of porphyria, and the most common type, porphyria cutanea tarda, can lead to black urine. The condition is characterized by an enzyme deficiency, resulting in colored porphyrins accumulating in the liver and the urine. Patients may also get blistered skin after sitting in the sun.

In some people, black urine may indicate a serious underlying health concern, including:

• Cancer, particularly in the kidney, pancreas, prostate or bladder.

• Injury to the urinary system.

• Wilm's tumor – a childhood cancer of the kidney.

• Liver disease, including cirrhosis, liver failure and hepatitis.

If you think you may have any of these conditions, make an appointment to see a doctor as soon as possible.