Having Red Urine Following Chemotherapy

Is it normal to have red urine after you have chemotherapy? If you've noticed red urine the night of chemotherapy, don't panic. It may be nothing but a nuisance, not necessarily a warning sign.

Causes From Medication

There are a few reasons your urine could be red following chemotherapy. Often this is just related to the color of the drug, and hence, not a problem. Other times it could be problematic. Let's talk about these possibilities, and hopefully, ease your mind.

Anthracyclines

If you've received CHOP-R chemotherapy or Adriamycin, the most probable reason for your red urine is the color of the drug (but make sure to keep reading if you also had Cytoxan). It's thanks to the medication doxorubicin—the “H” in the CHOP protocol (hydroxydaunomycin) and the generic name for Adriamycin. It's even been nicknamed the "red devil." While it may be alarming at first, this is completely normal. You can expect redness in your urine will clear up about 48 hours after a chemo session.

Doxorubicin is not the only chemotherapy medication that can turn your urine red. Other medications used in the treatment of blood and marrow cancers that can turn your urine red are Cerubidine (daunorubicin) and Idamycin (idarubicin), a class of chemotherapy drugs known as anthracyclines. Novantrone (mitoxantrone), another medication used in the treatment of blood cancers, can actually turn your urine a blue-green color.

Hemorrhagic Cystitis

Medication isn't always to blame. Blood in the urine can also cause it to look red. There are many causes for blood in the urine, including a condition called hemorrhagic cystitis. While it is highly unlikely that this would occur on the day of your chemo, the medication Cytoxan (cyclophosphamide)—the “C” in the CHOP protocol, or the drug usually used along with Adriamycin (doxorubicine) during the first rounds of breast cancer chemotherapy—can cause hemorrhagic cystitis.

Hemorrhagic cystitis from chemotherapy occurs when a byproduct of the medication called acrolein irritates the lining of your bladder and causes ulceration and bleeding.

Ifex (ifosfamide) is another chemotherapy medication used to treat hematologic cancers that can cause hemorrhagic cystitis. Radiation therapy to the pelvis can also cause hemorrhagic cystitis, especially when used in combination with these chemotherapy drugs.

Hemorrhagic cystitis is a serious side effect of cancer treatment. If you think that you may have blood in your urine, you should contact your healthcare provider right away. Symptoms that suggest you have something going on may include pain while urinating, abdominal discomfort, frequent urination, urgency or occasionally even accidents.

Distinguishing the Cause

How can you tell what is causing the redness? It can be difficult to distinguish. Blood in the urine may appear pink, red or a brownish hue, like the color of tea. You may even pass small clots. It only takes a small amount of blood in the urine for it to be visible. This type of red urine usually looks like a bloody color. It will usually persist for more than a few bathroom trips, and is often accompanied by other symptoms, such as bladder discomfort and a frequent sensation of “needing to go.”

Red urine caused by dyes in the chemotherapy is usually an orange or red shade like the color of the medication in the syringe when your nurse gave it to you, and it will not have clots. It will typically fade after a few times going to the bathroom. You will not have any other bladder symptoms in addition to the red color if this is the cause.

If you are unable to tell the difference, it is a good idea to call your healthcare provider for further advice. Meanwhile, drink lots of water and void often to help clear out your bladder.