Q&A: Statin side effect?

My urine has developed an unusually strong smell. Could it be from the cholesterol-lowering statin I'm taking? —M.A., Gardner, Kan.

Probably not, though a dark-brown color could be a sign of a dangerous statin side effect involving the liver or kidney. The most common causes of strong-smelling urine are insufficient fluid intake, a urinary-tract infection (in which case urine may also be dark yellow), or certain vegetables, such as asparagus or broccoli.

If you think you have an infection—signaled by strong-smelling urine plus the need to urinate frequently or a burning sensation when you go—contact your doctor. If dehydration or diet is the culprit, drinking more water or easing up on odor-producing vegetables should eliminate the smell.