A patient tells you that her urine is starting to look discolored. If you believe this change is due to medication, which of the following of the patient’s medication does not cause urine discoloration?
A. Sulfasalazine
B. Levodopa
C. Phenolphthalein
D. Aspirin
Correct Answer: D. Aspirin
Aspirin is not known to cause discoloration of the urine. Side effects and complications of taking aspirin include stroke caused by a burst blood vessel. The Food and Drug Administration doesn’t recommend aspirin therapy for the prevention of heart attacks in people who haven’t already had a heart attack, stroke or another cardiovascular condition.
Option A: Sulfasalazine may discolor the urine or skin to orange-yellow color. Sulfasalazine is used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC), and to decrease the frequency of UC attacks. Sulfasalazine will not cure ulcerative colitis, but it can reduce the number of attacks you have.
Option B: Levodopa may discolor the urine, saliva, or sweat to a dark brown color. Levodopa is in a class of medications called central nervous system agents. It works by being converted to dopamine in the brain. Carbidopa is in a class of medications called decarboxylase inhibitors. It works by preventing levodopa from being broken down before it reaches the brain.
Option C: Phenolphthalein can discolor the urine to a red color. Phenolphthalein is often used as an indicator in acid-base titrations. For this application, it turns colorless in acidic solutions and pink in basic solutions.