Urine Color Changes
Users on Reddit report experiencing changes in their urine color while on GLP-1 medications, primarily linked to their hydration status. Some users describe a cycle where their urine is darker in the morning and becomes clear throughout the day due to significantly increased water intake.
Experiences with Urine Color Changes:
The urine color typically changes to "crystal clear" by midday as users consume large quantities of water. [1, 2] Another user shared, "By 11 am in the morning, my urine is crystal clear. Stays the same all day long... and by 7 am it’s sunburst orange. "[2]
These changes are often reported alongside feelings of "SEVERE dehydration" despite high water consumption, with some users noting that GLP-1 medications can suppress thirst. [1, 3] The original poster of one thread mentioned, "For me, the GLP-1 medication suppressed my thirst an extreme amount. As a result, I’ve been severely dehydrated over the past few weeks, and no amount of water seemed sufficient. "[3] Another user, despite drinking 10-12 40oz water bottles daily, stated, "I cannot ever “feel” like I’m hydrated. "[2]
Frequent urination is also a common experience reported by users experiencing these urine color changes and maintaining high fluid intake. [1, 2]
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
The primary recommendations are aimed at managing the dehydration that influences urine color, rather than the color change itself:
Electrolytes: Supplementing with electrolytes is also commonly mentioned to aid hydration. Users report taking "electrolytes to try to help"[1] and using products like "liquid IV". [2]
It is important to understand that these measures are primarily to address the underlying dehydration, which in turn affects urine color. The fluctuation from dark to clear urine is a direct reflection of the body's hydration status and the high volume of fluids being consumed.
Separately, it has been noted that some compounded semaglutide medications may appear red in the vial. This coloration is reportedly due to the addition of B vitamins, such as B12 or B3, in the formulation by some pharmacies. [4, 5, 6] While B vitamins are known to potentially change urine to a bright yellow or greenish color, the user discussions provided on urine color changes primarily focus on the yellow/orange to clear spectrum related to hydration levels, rather than bright colors attributable to B vitamin additives in their GLP-1 medication.
Experiences with Urine Color Changes:
- Users note their urine can be "yellow" or "sunburst orange" in the morning.
Remedies and Preventions Recommended:
The primary recommendations are aimed at managing the dehydration that influences urine color, rather than the color change itself:
- Increased Water Intake: Users consistently report drinking very large amounts of water throughout the day to combat dehydration.
It is important to understand that these measures are primarily to address the underlying dehydration, which in turn affects urine color. The fluctuation from dark to clear urine is a direct reflection of the body's hydration status and the high volume of fluids being consumed.
Separately, it has been noted that some compounded semaglutide medications may appear red in the vial. This coloration is reportedly due to the addition of B vitamins, such as B12 or B3, in the formulation by some pharmacies. [4, 5, 6] While B vitamins are known to potentially change urine to a bright yellow or greenish color, the user discussions provided on urine color changes primarily focus on the yellow/orange to clear spectrum related to hydration levels, rather than bright colors attributable to B vitamin additives in their GLP-1 medication.