LymeNet Flash: Blood in urine? (w/Rifampin, Biaxin, B12?)

This is topic Blood in urine? (w/Rifampin, Biaxin, B12?) in forum Medical Questions at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by SoSublyme (Member # 15185) on :

I just found that my urine is red-tinged. I am on Rifampin, Biaxin and lots of supps, including B12 injections which I just started today. I thought I had heard that reddish urine can sometimes occur with with B12 injections.

Any ideas?...I am a nervous wreck (just went to the ER the other day for what was probably just a massive herx/anxiety attack.)

I did call my llmd who told me to keep taking the Biaxin and Rifampin. However, I just found some info that states Rifampin can cause hematuria with renal probs. My labwork was normal a couple of weeks ago.

Anyone have anything like this? Thanks!!!! My anxiety is already throught the roof so any information would be greatly appreciated.

Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :

Red urine is not uncommon with Rifampin. Google "rifampin side effects"

Posted by SoSublyme (Member # 15185) on :

Thanks Scott. I did see that when I googled it...I am not sure what to do since my llmd said to stay on it because they had never heard of this issue with Rifampin.

Posted by SForsgren (Member # 7686) on :

If your LLMD has never heard of that, I'd find a new doctor as I would question how much they treat Lyme.

Posted by mojo (Member # 9309) on :

I agree - it's pretty common to have orange/red urine when on Rifampin.

Posted by Starfall1969 (Member # 17353) on :

I agree too--my info packet on Rifampin even states on there that urine (and other bodily fluids) can take on a reddish/orange tint while taking it.

It even says that soft contact lenses can be permanently stained (lovely).

I'm one of those wusses who can't swallow pills, so I open the capsules and put the powder into applesauce--

the powder looks like paprika, so I can see why it stains urine.

Posted by SoSublyme (Member # 15185) on :

Thanks Mojo and Scott...

I did have orange urine after my daily dose but never red. Do some people just have red urine with Rifampin, but it's not blood?

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

B12 also does that!!!

Posted by SoSublyme (Member # 15185) on :

Lymetoo,

You are awesome...I just got off the phone with the pharmacist to ask about the B12 (it just occurred to me that it's a relatively new addition to my pile of meds)...and then I saw your post. You are right!!! B12 can cause red urine...the pharmacist said our bodies dump out excess in our urine and it looks red.

Thank you all so much!!!! [Smile]

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

keep an eye on this please even thought it may be meds you are on.

at my niece's son's baptism in april, my later sister's mom-in-law told me about her bladder cancer. what was her symptoms....blood in urine! so please be cautious since this cancer doesn't show many symptoms at all. thanks....i care about you! xox

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

"B12 also does that!!!"

Yes, glad tutu mentioned it and you checked it out!

[Big Grin]

Posted by Tincup (Member # 5829) on :

BTW- Babesia infection can cause the urine to look dark colored too.

I described it like a big cup of coke with a lot of ice that melted down.

A brownish maybe light copper colored urine... can be light or dark tinted.

[Big Grin]

Posted by SoSublyme (Member # 15185) on :

Betty and TC,

Thanks so much...I really appreciate your help. I hope I can stop staring at my pee soon!

Posted by Mtgirl (Member # 13278) on :

I take Mycobutin, the generic for rifabutin. It absolutely makes my pee, tears, etc red. It's probably a one-two punch from the abx and B-12.

Posted by SoSublyme (Member # 15185) on :

Thanks Mtgirl,

I think that sounds very likely.

Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :

There's a sticker on the side of my son's rifampin bottle that says: may cause discoloration of urine or feces. Hopefully that's all it is. Take care.

Linky

Posted by Jill E. (Member # 9121) on :

Dr. B's guidelines about Methyl B12 said to take dosages that will cause the urine to be red - that's how you know you are on a high enough dosage.

When I was on Rifampin, the change in my saliva color temporarily affected my teeth and my dental hygienist was just amazed at all this - it was all the Rifampin.

Jill

Posted by SoSublyme (Member # 15185) on :

Jill,

Thanks so much...that is great to know about Dr. B's recommendation. It seems I am on the right dose!

Posted by Lymetoo (Member # 743) on :

You're welcome! It did it to me. That's how I knew! [Razz]

Posted by Tif (Member # 12701) on :

I have red fluids all around from Rifampin, and I have had red urine from B12 in the past. I don't wear white shirts right now because of it.....