Amino Acids

Creatine Monohydrate

N-(Aminoiminomethyl)-N-methylglycine monohydrate

Amino acid derivative for ATP regeneration in muscle. No FDA RDI; declared with † symbol. Typical dose 3-5 g per day.

FDA Reference Data

RDI (Adults 4+)
Not established
Unit
g
Mandatory Declaration
No (voluntary)
Regulation
21 CFR 101.36
Daily Value not established — Per FDA 21 CFR 101.36(b)(2)(iii), this symbol must appear on the Supplement Facts label.

About Creatine Monohydrate

Creatine Monohydrate is the most researched sports supplement ingredient, used to increase phosphocreatine stores in skeletal muscle for ATP regeneration during high-intensity exercise. As an amino acid derivative, it has no FDA-established RDI and is declared with the † symbol on Supplement Facts labels. Typical maintenance doses are 3-5 g per day; loading protocols use 20 g/day for 5-7 days. The compound is typically declared in grams (g) on Supplement Facts panels due to the large dose size. Creatine Monohydrate is the gold-standard form; other forms (HCL, ethyl ester) lack equivalent research support.

Common Supplement Forms

Creatine Monohydrate
Gold-standard form; ~99.9% pure; most researched.
Creatine Hydrochloride (HCL)
More water-soluble; less research support; lower typical dose.
Creatine Ethyl Ester
Marketed for absorption; largely degraded in vivo; not recommended.
Micronized Creatine Monohydrate
Finer particle size; better mixability; same compound as standard monohydrate.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I declare creatine on a Supplement Facts label?

Declare "Creatine Monohydrate [amount] g†" with the † symbol indicating no established Daily Value. The legend "Daily Value not established" must appear at the bottom of the Supplement Facts panel. Amounts are typically declared in grams (g) due to the 3-5 g typical dose. The form (monohydrate, HCL, etc.) is part of the ingredient name on the same row, not separated into an ingredient list entry.

Is creatine mandatory on Supplement Facts labels?

No. Creatine is a voluntary-declaration ingredient per FDA 21 CFR 101.36(b)(2). It only appears on the Supplement Facts panel if the product contains it. There is no FDA-established RDI for creatine, so the † symbol is required and no %DV value is calculated.

What is the typical creatine monohydrate dose on a Supplement Facts label?

The standard maintenance dose is 3-5 g per day, typically declared as "Creatine Monohydrate 5 g†" on the Supplement Facts panel. Some products use a loading phase (20 g/day for 5-7 days, divided into 4 doses), which should be reflected in the serving size and directions for use. The FDA does not restrict maximum creatine dose in dietary supplements.

Should I declare creatine as monohydrate or just "Creatine"?

The full name "Creatine Monohydrate" should be used because it identifies the specific form. Different creatine forms (monohydrate, HCL, ethyl ester) have different properties and bioavailability. FDA 21 CFR 101.4 requires the common or usual name of the ingredient, and "Creatine Monohydrate" is the established common name for this specific compound.

Building a supplement with Creatine Monohydrate?

ReguSift extracts ingredients from your COA, calculates %DV, formats proprietary blends, and generates a print-ready Supplement Facts label — including Creatine Monohydrate auto-formatted per FDA 21 CFR 101.36.

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