Creatine is a popular supplement that is used by many athletes in the hope of increasing their athletic performance. Creatine can be purchased without a prescription, and it is safe for many people to use, but it can cause some side effects. Talk to your doctor before taking creatine or any other supplement.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is an amino acid that is naturally found in many foods, including meat and fish. The human body also can synthesize creatine in the liver, pancreas and kidneys. Much of the creatine in your body is stored in your muscle in the form of creatine phosphate. Creatine phosphate is used as a short-term energy source for muscle cells during intense physical activity, such as weight lifting and sprinting.
Common Side Effects
Although creatine naturally occurs in the human body and can be purchased without a prescription, it can cause some side effects. Taking creatine supplements can cause stomach pain, cramping diarrhea and nausea, although these side effects do not generally cause any serious health problems. People who take creatine supplements may also experience short-term weight gain because the creatine causes the body to retain more water.
High Dose Side Effects and Drug Interactions
High doses of creatine pose many health risks. High doses of creatine may result in liver and heart damage. There is also a documented case of creatine causing muscle breakdown, also known as rhabdomyalysis, and acute kidney failure. Consequently, you should avoid creatine if you have liver, heart or kidney problems, diabetes, or if you already take other medications that are potentially harmful to your kidneys. Combining creatine with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, caffeine, ephedra, diuretics, probenecid, or cimetidine increases your risk of serious side effects.
Considerations
Although creatine may help you improve your athletic performance, it is more likely to benefit you if you are young, healthy and engage in activities that require intense physical activity, such as sprinting or weight lifting. Creatine is less likely to be helpful if you engage in endurance sports. In some cases, athletic substances may be contaminated with illegal or potentially harmful substances, so be sure to purchase creatine supplements from a reliable manufacturer.
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