Creatine

Creatine

Best for

Hold power across repeated sprints

Large effect, needs confirmation for 1–4 weeks · 1 meta-analysis , n=244

100 papers · 20 claims · 184 outcomes scored · 18 positive

Outcomes

What creatine actually does, by outcome

Each row is one outcome with effect size, evidence base, the dose that worked in trials, and time to first effect. Magnitude tiers come from native-unit MCID where available, Cohen's d otherwise.

Outcome Effect Evidence Dose Weeks Rank
Improve everyday quality of life Likely strong benefit
large
6 meta-analyses n=928 Meta-analyzed 5–10000 g 1–260 wk #10/61
Hold power across repeated sprints Large effect, needs confirmation
large
8 meta-analyses n=244 Meta-analyzed 20–20000 g 1–4 wk #2/14
Speed up thinking and reactions Promising early signal
moderate
5 meta-analyses n=1.3k Meta-analyzed 0.35–10000 mg 1–260 wk #3/28
Build explosive fuel reserves in muscle Likely benefit
moderate
9 meta-analyses n=477 Meta-analyzed 0.3–20000 g 1–14 wk #1/3
Raise peak oxygen capacity Likely benefit
moderate
4 meta-analyses n=475 Meta-analyzed 5.7–20000 g 1–12 wk #1/32
Build stronger muscles Proven modest benefit
small
39 meta-analyses n=5.2k Meta-analyzed 0.03–20000 g/kg 1–52 wk #1/38
Build and keep muscle Proven modest benefit
small
17 meta-analyses n=5.2k Meta-analyzed 0.05–100 g 1–52 wk #2/21
Strengthen your memory Likely modest benefit
small
5 meta-analyses n=1.5k Meta-analyzed 0.35–20 g 1–6 wk #5/42
Boost overall cognitive performance Not enough research
small
4 meta-analyses n=323 Meta-analyzed 3–100 g 1–208 wk #8/21
Sharpen focus and mental stamina Faint early signal
small
5 meta-analyses n=307 Meta-analyzed 3–20 g 1–8 wk
Lose body fat Likely real but unnoticeable
trivial
23 meta-analyses n=6.8k Meta-analyzed 0.05–5000 mg 1–52 wk #5/56
Jump higher and react faster Likely real but unnoticeable
trivial
13 meta-analyses n=4.8k Meta-analyzed 2–20000 g 1–8 wk #3/12
Boost sprint speed and peak power Proven but unnoticeable
trivial
22 meta-analyses n=4.0k Meta-analyzed 0.03–300 g 0–12 wk #2/21
Last longer before giving out Proven but unnoticeable
trivial
20 meta-analyses n=1.7k Meta-analyzed 0.03–3000 g 0–12 wk #7/40
Sharpen accuracy and agility in sport Not enough research
trivial
2 meta-analyses n=521 Meta-analyzed 0.03–100 mg/kg #10/14
Move more easily with aging Likely real but unnoticeable
trivial
7 meta-analyses n=503 Meta-analyzed 0.1–25 g 1–52 wk #1/22
Strengthen planning and mental control Barely detectable
trivial
2 meta-analyses n=149 Meta-analyzed 3–20 g 6 wk #6/28
Improve overall sleep quality Barely detectable
trivial
2 RCTs n=51 20 g 1 wk
Recover faster after exercise Likely benefit
moderate
7 meta-analyses n=853 Meta-analyzed 2–300 g 0–8 wk
Ease joint pain Not enough research
1 RCT n=— 5–20 g 4 wk

Risk profile

Adverse events and known drug interactions

Safety events

severe vertigo severe
Serous (exudative) retinal detachment (bilateral) severe
acute_kidney_injury severe
interstitial_nephritis severe
pulmonary embolism severe
deep vein thrombosis (left popliteal vein) severe
acute_renal_failure severe
acute_tubular_necrosis severe

Drug interactions

Ketamine major increases effect
Immunosuppressants major increases toxicity
other major increases toxicity
other moderate increases effect
Cyclosporine moderate decreases effect
other moderate unknown
Amikacin minor decreases effect

Sources

  1. 1. Effects of in-season (5 weeks) creatine and pyruvate supplementation on anaerobic performance and body composition in American football players. (1999)
  2. 2. Effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation during combined strength and high intensity rowing training on performance. (2001)
  3. 3. Effect of 12 months of creatine supplementation and whole-body resistance training on measures of bone, muscle and strength in older males. (2021)
  4. 4. Creatine Enhances the Effects of Cluster-Set Resistance Training on Lower-Limb Body Composition and Strength in Resistance-Trained Men: A Pilot Study. (2021)
  5. 5. Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Body Composition and Malnutrition-Inflammation Score in Hemodialysis Patients: An Exploratory 1-Year, Balanced, Double-Blind Design. (2024)
  6. 6. The Effect of Creatine Supplementation on Resistance Training-Based Changes to Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. (2024)
  7. 7. Effects of Creatine Supplementation on the Performance, Physiological Response, and Body Composition Among Swimmers: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. (2024)
  8. 8. Additional Benefits of Creatine Supplementation with Physical Therapy and Resistance Exercise in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. (2025)
  9. 9. Meta-Analysis Examining the Importance of Creatine Ingestion Strategies on Lean Tissue Mass and Strength in Older Adults. (2021)
  10. 10. Effects of Four Weeks of Beta-Alanine Supplementation Combined with One Week of Creatine Loading on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Military Personnel. (2022)

Generated August 14, 2026

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