Why is my urine still yellow even after drinking a lot of water?
Aug 15, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Guang
Introduction
Long-term use of medications such as rifampin capsules and compound vitamin B tablets may result in drug metabolites entering the urine, causing the urine color to remain yellow, even with increased water intake. If this condition is caused by medication, consult a doctor to adjust the treatment plan. Urine color usually returns to normal gradually after discontinuation of the medication. If abnormalities persist, prompt medical attention is recommended.
Drinking a lot of water but still having yellow urine may be caused by taking pigmented medications, dietary influences, liver and gallbladder inflammation, hemolytic anemia, or biliary stones. If abnormalities occur, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Taking pigmented medications: Long-term use of medications such as rifampin capsules or compound vitamin B tablets may cause drug metabolites to enter the urine, resulting in persistent yellow urine that is difficult to change even with increased water intake. If caused by medication, consult a doctor to adjust the treatment plan; urine color usually gradually returns to normal after discontinuation.
2. Dietary influence: Frequently consuming carotene-rich foods such as carrots, pumpkin, and papaya can lead to pigment accumulation in the body, which is excreted through urine, causing yellow urine unaffected by water intake. Reduce consumption of such foods, adjust dietary structure, and urine color may gradually return to normal.
3. Liver and gallbladder inflammation: Inflammation such as hepatitis or cholecystitis damages liver cells, leading to abnormal bilirubin metabolism. Elevated bilirubin concentration in urine causes yellow urine, often accompanied by fatigue, loss of appetite, liver area pain, jaundice, and other symptoms. Doctors may recommend medications such as Yin Zhi Huang oral liquid, compound glycyrrhizin tablets, or anti-inflammatory and cholagogic tablets.
4. Hemolytic anemia: Extensive destruction of red blood cells causes hemoglobin metabolites to enter the urine, resulting in dark yellow or tea-colored urine, often accompanied by anemia, jaundice, fever, back pain, and other symptoms. Patients may follow medical advice to use prednisone tablets, folic acid tablets, vitamin E soft capsules, etc.
5. Biliary stones: Stones blocking bile ducts hinder bile excretion, causing bilirubin to reflux into the blood and be excreted through urine, resulting in yellow urine, often accompanied by right upper abdominal pain, nausea, and other symptoms. Doctors may prescribe ursodeoxycholic acid capsules, anti-inflammatory and cholagogic tablets, cefixime dispersible tablets, and surgery may be required for larger stones.
In daily life, maintain a regular routine, avoid excessive fatigue, and undergo regular liver/gallbladder and blood examinations. If persistently yellow urine despite increased water intake or accompanied by other discomforts, seek timely medical consultation.
