Neon Green Pee: Urologists Explain Why Urine Turns This Color and Why You Shouldn’t Be Worried

Urines come in different colors; depending on the shade, they may reveal significant health information. For those who experienced a neon green pee, continue reading to understand what experts say about it.

Neon Green Pee Causes

Some people wondered why their urine was colored green, and a few expressed their concerns if the sight was a clue about an underlying health issue. Rachel High, DO, a urogynecologist at the Center for Restorative Pelvic Medicine at Houston Methodist, talked about the matter and pointed out that green urine is rarely a cause for concern.

According to her, brown or red urines usually indicate an abnormality. In some cases, temporary red, pink or brown are not worrisome, so one should consider the duration of color change and whether it's from the vagina or rectum. One should also note the new dietary supplements or medicines they are taking.

There are several reasons one has a neon green pea, usually because of vitamin B supplements. Riboflavin (B2) can turn urine into neon yellow or green, and this is probably because one is taking too much than what the body needs, so the body responds by excreting the excess through urine.

Several medications can also turn urine into neon green pee like Amitriptyline for depression; Cimetidine (Tagamet HB), a medication for ulcer and acid reflux; Triamterene (Dyrenium), which is used to address swelling due to cancer and liver disease; Indomethacin (Indocin, Tivorbex) for pain and arthritis symptoms, and Propofol (Diprivan), which is used to help people sleep or relax after a procedure. Additionally, Promethazine (Phenergan), an antihistamine; Metoclopramide (Reglan), an anti-nausea medication; Amitriptyline (Amitril), an antidepressant used to treat fibromyalgia and depression; and Methylene blue, a water-based dye used in scans and surgery and as methemoglobinemia treatment, can also turn urine green.

Elizabeth Kavaler, MD, double board-certified urologist and urogynecologist who is the director of Total Urology Care in New York City, added that the color of the urine is also based on what you eat and how much water you drink. According to her, asparagus can turn urine into a greenish shade. High said consuming candies, colorful cereals, sodas, and energy bars can also result in green pee.

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Urine Color Determines Health?

Urine comes in different shades, from clear to dark brown colors. The color of our pee can easily help us determine whether we are hydrated.

Darker urine is a sign of inadequate hydration and possible dehydration, according to Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, a pharmacist and CEO of the Association of Independent Multiple Pharmacies. She mentioned that headaches, nausea, and exhaustion could result from dehydration. In addition, it may cause an even more severe health condition in very young or old people.

Darker urine colors may also be a sign of other medical problems, such as liver failure or drug side effects. Also, some chemotherapy medications or anti-inflammatory medications may be the cause of orange or brown urine. She cautioned that it might indicate jaundice.

Hannbeck added that if the urine is always clear, one should reduce water consumption. The expert noted that too much water can dilute electrolytes, so clear urine is not a good sign and may indicate liver problems like cirrhosis.