Uses

What is creatine used for?

Creatine is commonly used to build muscle and improve physical performance during certain forms of exercise. It is also used to increase creatine levels in people with certain rare metabolic disorders.

The benefits of creatine for other uses are not well defined.

Creatine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Note: Creatine is available as a dietary supplement or as a medical food. The FDA has not reviewed creatine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here. Learn more about medical foods here.

How does creatine work (mechanism of action)?

Creatine is made by your body and stored in your muscles. It is also found in your brain, kidneys, and pancreas. Although your body makes most of the creatine it needs, you can also get small amounts from your diet, including from meat and fish.

Creatine is an important source of energy for your muscles. Taking creatine dietary supplements can increase the levels of creatine in your body. This may improve your ability to do certain forms of heavy exercise and to build muscle.

In people with certain rare metabolic disorders, the body is not able to make enough creatine. Taking creatine can help to increase creatine levels so that the muscles can work normally.

How is creatine supplied (dosage forms)?

Creatine is a dietary supplement that comes in various forms, such as a capsule, chew, or tablet that is swallowed or a powder that is mixed into liquid and swallowed.

Creatine is also available as a medical food (such as a product called Cytotine) that is intended to increase creatine levels in people with certain rare metabolic disorders.

How should I store creatine?

You should store creatine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements and medical foods should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What is creatine used for?

Creatine is commonly used to build muscle and improve physical performance during certain forms of exercise. It is also used to increase creatine levels in people with certain rare metabolic disorders.

The benefits of creatine for other uses are not well defined.

Creatine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

Note: Creatine is available as a dietary supplement or as a medical food. The FDA has not reviewed creatine for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here. Learn more about medical foods here.

How does creatine work (mechanism of action)?

Creatine is made by your body and stored in your muscles. It is also found in your brain, kidneys, and pancreas. Although your body makes most of the creatine it needs, you can also get small amounts from your diet, including from meat and fish.

Creatine is an important source of energy for your muscles. Taking creatine dietary supplements can increase the levels of creatine in your body. This may improve your ability to do certain forms of heavy exercise and to build muscle.

In people with certain rare metabolic disorders, the body is not able to make enough creatine. Taking creatine can help to increase creatine levels so that the muscles can work normally.

How is creatine supplied (dosage forms)?

Creatine is a dietary supplement that comes in various forms, such as a capsule, chew, or tablet that is swallowed or a powder that is mixed into liquid and swallowed.

Creatine is also available as a medical food (such as a product called Cytotine) that is intended to increase creatine levels in people with certain rare metabolic disorders.

How should I store creatine?

You should store creatine according to the product label. Most dietary supplements and medical foods should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Precautions

Who should not use creatine?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take creatine.

• Amidinosarcosine
• Creatine
• Cytotine
• N-amidinosarcosine
• Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific creatine products they stock.

What should I know about creatine before using it?

Creatine is available as a dietary supplement. Dietary supplements cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease. Some forms of creatine, such as Cytotine, are available as a medical food and are used for certain people with rare metabolic disorders. Read and follow the directions on the specific product you have or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep creatine out of the reach of children.

Some people may gain a small amount of weight, usually no more than about 2 to 4 pounds (1 to 2 kilograms), when they first start taking creatine. This weight gain is caused by the body retaining extra fluid, which may cause bloating.

If you are using creatine powder, use an appropriate measuring device to measure the powder, such as the device included with the product. Read the label carefully and measure the amount stated on the label. Mix the powder with a glass of liquid, such as water or juice.

The FDA has not tested creatine products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using creatine?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know whether creatine is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions.Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

• Dehydration
• Kidney problems

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how creatine could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Creatine passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does creatine interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between creatine and foods or drinks.

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect creatine.

Does creatine interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

The interactions between creatine and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with creatine is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before using creatine with any medicines.

Dosing

What should I do if I accidentally use too much creatine?

If you or someone else has used too much creatine, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Creatine may be taken in a wide range of doses depending on your reasons for using it. Some products that are used for physical performance recommend taking a higher dose for the first week, followed by a lower dose thereafter. If you are taking creatine for a rare metabolic disorder, your health care provider will tell you how much creatine to take each day.

Read the product label closely and speak with a health care provider about how to use creatine safely. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take double or extra doses.