From the Research
Lime green urine is typically caused by medications, food dyes, or certain medical conditions, and if you experience persistent lime green urine without an obvious cause, you should consult a healthcare provider to rule out underlying medical conditions, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like pain, fever, or changes in urination patterns. The most common causes of lime green urine include medications such as propofol (an anesthetic), methylene blue, and certain antibiotics like cefazolin or ceftriaxone, as well as food dyes in artificially colored foods and beverages 1. Some medical conditions can also cause this color change, including urinary tract infections with certain bacteria, bile in urine from liver problems, or pseudomonas infections.
The color change occurs because these substances contain pigments or metabolites that are filtered through the kidneys and excreted in urine, maintaining their color or transforming into colored compounds during metabolism. Multivitamins containing B vitamins, particularly riboflavin (vitamin B2), can also produce a bright yellow-green color. It is essential to note that while some cases of green urine may be benign, others can indicate a severe pathology needing treatment, and a thorough history and urinalysis can help determine the diagnosis 2.
Some specific cases of green urine have been reported, such as a case of green urine after ingestion of herbicides, where the urine color changed to green almost immediately 3, and a case of green urine due to a bezoar effect caused by methylene blue 4. However, the most recent and highest quality study suggests that medications and food dyes are the most common causes of lime green urine, and that knowledge of the benign nature of this condition can prevent unnecessary consultations and anxiety 1.
In any case, if you experience persistent lime green urine, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider to rule out underlying medical conditions, especially if accompanied by other symptoms like pain, fever, or changes in urination patterns. A careful history focusing on medications, foods, occupation, and family history, as well as simple laboratory tests, can help determine the diagnosis or narrow the list of possible causes 5.