Orange Diarrhea: What It Means & When It’s Serious

Key takeaways:

• Orange diarrhea can result from certain foods you may eat, including those rich in the orange pigment beta carotene, or from some medications. Orange diarrhea could also mean a digestive problem that needs medical attention.
• The color and consistency of the orange diarrhea can give you some clues about potential causes. These can range from something you ate to a more serious condition like a bile duct obstruction or an inflamed pancreas.
• Knowing when you should get medical attention is important, especially if the orange diarrhea is continuous or you have other symptoms like vomiting or abdominal pain.

If you have experienced a bout of orange diarrhea, this can be quite unsettling. While it’s not a common color, orange diarrhea can be caused by a variety of things, ranging from what you’ve eaten to a more serious digestive concern.

Let’s look at the possible reasons behind orange diarrhea, what its appearance may indicate, and when you should consider going for a medical evaluation. Understanding the causes and treatment options for orange diarrhea can help you figure out what you should do if you or someone you know experiences this symptom.

Is orange diarrhea normal?

Orange diarrhea is not typical, but it is often harmless and is usually linked to a dietary cause. Foods rich in the orange pigment beta carotene, like carrots or sweet potatoes, and certain medications or supplements, such as antacids or vitamins, can sometimes give stool an orange hue.

If orange diarrhea persists, it may signal a more serious problem, such as with bile production or absorption. In these cases, it’s important to watch for any additional symptoms and get the advice of a healthcare provider.

Common causes of orange diarrhea

There are several reasons why you might experience orange diarrhea. Here are some of the most common causes:

Dietary factors

Eating large quantities of foods high in the orange pigment beta carotene or foods with artificial orange coloring can result in orange stool. Foods like carrots, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, and squash contain orange pigments that may not always be fully digested, causing an orange tint in your stool​, especially if they are eaten in large quantities.

Medications

Certain medications, particularly those antacids that contain aluminum hydroxide (such as brands like Mylanta, Maalox and Gaviscon) can cause your stool to turn orange.

Other drugs that impact bile production or absorption, such as cholestyramine (brand names such as Prevalite and Questran) which are used to lower blood cholesterol levels, may also contribute to changes in stool color​. The antibiotic rifampin, used to treat tuberculosis and some other bacterial infections, can also cause orange colored stool.

Digestive issues

Orange diarrhea may mean that bile, a greenish-yellow digestive enzyme produced by your liver, is not fully breaking down fats.

This can happen when there’s a blockage in your bile ducts and can be a sign of gallbladder disease or other biliary system (your gallbladder and bile ducts) issues​.

Liver or pancreatic conditions

Liver disease may lead to poor bile production or secretion, which can result in orange diarrhea. Chronic pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) can cause orange diarrhea and is usually accompanied by nausea and vomiting as well as weight loss. Cancer of the pancreas can result in orange stools along with other symptoms such as dark urine and a yellow color in the skin and the whites of eyes known as jaundice.

Bile acid malabsorption

When your intestines cannot absorb bile acids they build up in your system. This excess of bile can cause your colon to give off extra water, and lead to orange colored diarrhea. Bile acid malabsorption (BAM) can be caused by such conditions as chronic pancreatitis, Crohn’s disease, Celiac disease and a condition known as short bowel syndrome.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

In some people, GERD, which is the reflux of stomach acids back into the esophagus, can cause orange diarrhea. As GERD is a digestive problem, it can affect bile absorption, and in turn affects the color of stool.

What orange diarrhea may mean based on appearance, consistency, or another symptom or condition

The appearance and symptoms that go along with orange diarrhea can give you some clues about its possible cause:

Bright orange diarrhea

Diarrhea which is bright orange in color may be from eating large quantities of foods rich in the orange colored pigment beta carotene or from consuming foods with artificial colorings.

While generally harmless, it’s important to watch how long the color change lasts​. If the orange diarrhea does not go away in a day or two after eating the suspected food, you should get the advice of your health care provider.

Orange, watery or liquidy diarrhea

If your orange diarrhea is watery, it could indicate malabsorption or a digestive infection. Malabsorption is when your body’s digestive system has trouble absorbing the nutrients from the foods you eat. Watery or liquidy orange diarrhea may also result from taking certain medications that affect bile production or absorption​.

Orange, oily diarrhea

Orange oily diarrhea may be linked to the malabsorption of fats. This is often caused by a problem with the pancreas or a liver issue. When fats in your diet are not properly absorbed by your intestines, your stool can appear oily or greasy.​

Red-orange diarrhea

Red-orange diarrhea could mean a mix of blood and orange-tinted stool. While this could be due to bleeding hemorrhoids, it’s important to be sure there is not a more serious reason for the bleeding. If you are experiencing red-orange diarrhea, you should consult your physician.

Orange diarrhea with mucus in the stool

Mucus in your stool is often a sign of inflammation or irritation in the intestines. If mucus is present along with orange diarrhea, this may mean an infection or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)​.

Orange diarrhea accompanied by vomiting

When vomiting occurs alongside orange diarrhea, it may be due to food poisoning or possibly an infection in your digestive system. If diarrhea and vomiting go on for too long without treatment, you risk becoming dehydrated.

Orange diarrhea accompanied by stomach cramps

If you are experiencing stomach cramps along with orange diarrhea, this could mean a gastrointestinal infection, a digestive disorder, or an issue with your bile ducts. Stomach pain or cramps with continuing diarrhea should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.

Orange diarrhea after eating

If the orange diarrhea comes on immediately after you eat, it’s likely linked to something in your diet. Foods that are high in artificial coloring or in the orange pigment beta carotene can often be the cause​. Sweet potatoes, carrots and pumpkin are some foods high in beta carotene.

Orange diarrhea during pregnancy

Hormonal changes in pregnancy, changes in your diet during this time, or taking prenatal vitamins (especially those high in iron or beta carotene) can cause orange diarrhea. If you are pregnant and experiencing orange diarrhea, you should check with your physician if the diarrhea persists.

Read our guides on types of diarrhea and common diarrhea causes for more.

When to see a doctor about orange diarrhea

You should see a doctor if:

• Your orange diarrhea lasts more than 48 hours without improvement.
• If you have additional symptoms like severe stomach pain, vomiting, or signs of dehydration, such as a dry mouth, dark or scanty urine, headache and thirst.
• You notice signs of blood or mucus in your stool.

You should go to the emergency room if:

• You experience persistent vomiting or diarrhea that does not get better.
• You notice signs of shock such as dizziness or fainting, a rapid heartbeat, or mental confusion.

Questions to ask your doctor about orange diarrhea

Here are a few questions you can ask your doctor to better understand your condition:

1. What is causing my orange diarrhea?
2. Do I need any diagnostic tests, such as blood tests or imaging?
3. What are my treatment options based on my symptoms?
4. Could my diet, medications or supplements be causing the orange diarrhea?

How to stop or treat orange diarrhea

The treatment for orange diarrhea will largely depend on its cause. Here are some common approaches:

Hydration

One of the most important treatments for diarrhea is getting enough fluids so you can rehydrate your body.

Oral rehydration solutions or electrolyte drinks such as some sports drinks or PediaLyte™ can help to replace lost fluids and prevent you from becoming dehydrated. If you are also vomiting along with having diarrhea and cannot keep fluids down, you may need to get IV fluids.

Dietary changes

If certain foods or medications are the cause, eliminating the food or adjusting your medication dosage (with the advice of your physician) may help to resolve the diarrhea. A bland diet that’s easy on your digestive system may also help during your recovery​.

Medications

If the diarrhea is linked to a bile or pancreatic issue, your doctor may prescribe medications to improve bile flow or enzyme production​.

Read our guide on diarrhea treatments for more.

How to prevent orange diarrhea

Preventing orange diarrhea can often be managed with a few lifestyle changes:

Monitor your diet

Limiting foods high in artificial colorings or beta carotene may help prevent stool from turning orange​. Vegetables that are high in beta carotene, such as carrots, squash and pumpkin, are also high in other beneficial nutrients such as Vitamin A as well as fiber, so don’t cut them out of your diet completely.

Check medications

If medications like antacids, supplements, or antibiotics are suspected to be the cause of orange diarrhea, speak with your doctor about possible alternatives or adjustments.​ Prescription medications should not be stopped or changed without consulting with your physician.

Stay hydrated

Drinking enough fluids is important to support your overall digestive health and help prevent diarrhea​. If you drink sodas or other sweetened beverages frequently, try to replace these with water or unsweetened regular or herbal tea instead. Use a squeeze of lemon or lime to enhance the taste.

Frequently asked questions: orange diarrhea

Can irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) cause orange diarrhea?

While IBS often causes diarrhea, orange stool is less common as a direct result of IBS. In these cases, it is more likely a result from diet or medication changes that are part of your IBS treatment.​

Does pancreatitis cause orange diarrhea?

Pancreatitis can lead to poor fat digestion, resulting in orange, oily diarrhea. This occurs when your pancreas fails to produce enough enzymes to digest fats properly​. These undigested fats remain in your stool, causing the orange, oily appearance.

Is orange diarrhea a sign of food poisoning?

Orange diarrhea may occur in cases of food poisoning, especially when certain foods or food colorings are involved. Other symptoms can include vomiting, fever, and stomach cramps​.

Managing orange diarrhea

Orange diarrhea is usually linked to diet or medications, but it can sometimes be a sign of a more serious issue like bile or pancreatic problems. By understanding the potential causes and symptoms, you can decide when you can safely treat it at home and when you should go for medical care. If your symptoms continue or worsen, consulting your healthcare provider is the best way to get the care and treatment you need.

General Medicine follows a strict editorial process, including using real experts to write our articles, vetted primary sources, fact-checking, a secondary medical review, and updates as necessary. This article was medically reviewed and fact checked by Dr. Lane Thaut, DO.

Sources

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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GER & GERD) in Adults.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.

Vijayvargiya, Priya, et al. "Current Practice in the Diagnosis of Bile Acid Diarrhea." Gastroenterology, vol. 156, no. 5, 2019, pp. 1233-1238. https://www.gastrojournal.org/article/S0016-5085(18)35400-3/fulltext. Accessed 24 Oct. 2024.

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