# Is it bad to take Creatine for working out? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 27, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703 "2007-06-27T23:43:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![pool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pool/32/4152_2.png) [@pool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pool)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2007, 11:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703/1 "2007-06-27T23:43:45Z")
Pretty general question I think. I’ve been thinking about using it but maybe it isn’t worth it. ---
**Author:** ![dgrdfd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703/2 "2007-06-28T00:01:32Z")
No real cites, but I take Creatine Monohydrate and have seen no studies indicating that it’s harmful. Wikipedia indicates that it’s safe as well: [Creatine - Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatine_supplements#Safety) The only problems are that you will get incredibly thirsty. Drink enough water and you pee a lot. Don’t and you get muscle cramps. Just a couple grams per day or most will come out in your urine. I FEEL stronger when I take it, but I also think I can run faster if I have new shoes on or high black socks. 😃 YMMV. ---
**Author:** ![dgrdfd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/eb8c5e/32.png) [@dgrdfd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dgrdfd)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703/3 "2007-06-28T00:07:30Z")
Here’s a past thread on the subject: [http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=360493&highlight=creatine](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=360493&highlight=creatine) ---
**Author:** ![GiantRat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@GiantRat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GiantRat)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703/4 "2007-06-28T04:46:34Z")
[QUOTE=pool] Pretty general question I think. I’ve been thinking about using it but maybe it isn’t worth it. [/QUOTE] Personal anecdote: A semi-friend/acquaintance in peewee and high school wrestling died while using creatine. Creatine, from what I understand, draws fluid away from the muscles (this is probably over-simplified and the doctor/girlfriend would have a fit), which tends to lead to heart and kidney failure. But, properly hydrated, I’ve never heard any complaints. Wrestlers (back when “sucking weight” was still allowed) tended to dehydrate themselves a lot, and the added dyhydrative qualities of creatine didn’t help. ---
**Author:** ![Smitty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e274bd/32.png) [@Smitty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smitty)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703/5 "2007-06-28T12:46:52Z")
I have used it, and it is quite effective. You will feel a much better muscle “pump”. But, as others have said, you will get BAD muscle cramps if you don’t drink plenty of water when using it. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2007, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703/6 "2007-06-28T12:48:16Z")
Another personal anecdote - I tried it. I bought a batch, went on it, and got sick almost at once (possibly dehydration, says my nephew, who says the same thing as **GiantRat** ). Finished the bottle, and am currently on the phase of the experiment where I see how I react to not taking it. Last Tuesday I set a PR in the bench press (for my current age range). Totally worthless as far as real evidence goes, but FWIW. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2007, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-bad-to-take-creatine-for-working-out/409703/7 "2007-06-29T22:11:26Z")
I also would add that drinking lots of water is important, but that is true anytime you work out. Water is to muscles like air is to tires. Stay well hydrated!