Creatine KREE-a-teen

What are other names for this remedy?

Type of medicine: natural remedy

Scientific and common names: N-amidinosarcosine, N-(aminoiminomethyl)-N-methylglycine monohydrate, creatine citrate, creatine monohydrate, creatine phosphate

What is creatine?

Creatine is an amino acid that is made naturally in the body. It is found naturally in foods such as meat, fish, and poultry. It may also be made in the laboratory.

What is it used for?

This remedy has been used to treat several conditions. Studies in humans or animals have not proved that this remedy is safe or effective for all uses. Before using this remedy for a serious condition, you should talk with your healthcare provider. There may be other uses that are not listed below.

Creatine supplements have been used to:

• help athletes gain muscle and strength
• increase strength and endurance in people who have heart failure
• treat depression
• treat diseases such as muscular dystrophy, ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), Huntington's disease, and Parkinson's disease
• treat heart failure
• treat high cholesterol

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not approve uses for natural remedies. The FDA does not inspect or regulate natural remedies the way they do prescription medicines.

How is it taken?

Creatine is available in capsules, tablets, powders, and sports drinks. Check the label on the package for the specific dose.

What if I overdose?

Symptoms of an acute overdose have not been reported.

What should I watch out for?

Do not take this remedy if you have kidney disease or diabetes.

Creatine causes muscles to draw water from the rest of your body. Be careful during hot weather, or when you are exercising, or using a hot tub or sauna. Drink extra water while taking creatine.

Taking creatine with a carbohydrate (sugar or starch) may cause the body to absorb creatine more quickly.

If you need emergency care, surgery, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.

Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist about any natural remedy that you are using or thinking about using. If your provider does not tell you how to take it, follow the directions that come with the package. Do not take more or take it longer than suggested. Ask about anything you do not understand. Remember:

• Natural remedies are not always safe.
• Do not take them if you are pregnant or breast-feeding without your healthcare provider's approval. They should not be taken by infants, children, or older adults without your provider's approval.
• They affect your body and may interact with prescription medicines that you take.
• Natural remedies are not standardized. They may be contaminated. They may also have different strengths and effects.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its good effects, this remedy may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the remedy. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away). If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; rash; trouble breathing; chest pain or tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).

Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): High fever, seizures, severe nausea, irregular heartbeat, sweating, cold clammy skin, trouble urinating, severe dry mouth.

Other: Muscle cramps and strains, weight gain, nausea, stomach pain, diarrhea.

What products might interact with this remedy?

When you take this remedy with other medicines, it can change the way the remedy or the medicines work. Vitamins and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Before taking this remedy, talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• antibiotics such as amikacin, gentamicin, and tobramycin
• caffeine
• diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride, bumetanide, chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), spironolactone (Aldactone), torsemide (Demadex), and triamterene (Dyrenium)
• ephedra or Ma Huang
• immunosuppressants such as cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune, Gengraf) and tacrolimus (Prograf)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) such as diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), ibuprofen (Motrin, Motrin IB, Advil), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen, ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve, Naprelan), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), and sulindac (Clinoril)

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

Keep all natural remedies and medicines out of the reach of children.

This advisory includes select information only. The information was obtained from scientific journals, study reports, and other documents. The author and publisher make no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the information. The advisory may not include all side effects associated with a remedy or interactions with other medicines. Nothing herein shall constitute a recommendation for the use of any remedy. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information.