The Basics
What is Creatine?
Creatine is most commonly used for improving exercise performance and increasing muscle mass.
Brand names for Creatine
Na
How Creatine is classified
Complementary Therapies
Creatine During Pregnancy
Creatine pregnancy category
Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.
What we know about taking Creatine while pregnant
N/A
Taking Creatine While Breastfeeding
What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Creatine?
Creatine is used as a dietary supplement to increase muscle mass and improve exercise performance. Although creatine is a normal component of human milk, milk levels of creatine have not been measured after exogenous administration in humans. Creatine is converted into creatinine in the mother’s and infant’s bodies. It may increase the infant’s serum creatinine, which may alter estimations of the infant’s kidney function.[1] Some authors speculate that creatine supplementation of nursing mothers might help avoid creatine deficiency syndromes, but no studies are available that test this hypothesis.[2] Until more data are available, it is probably best to avoid creatine supplementation unless it is prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Maternal / infant drug levels
Creatine is used as a dietary supplement to increase muscle mass and improve exercise performance. Although creatine is a normal component of human milk, milk levels of creatine have not been measured after exogenous administration in humans. Creatine is converted into creatinine in the mother’s and infant’s bodies. It may increase the infant’s serum creatinine, which may alter estimations of the infant’s kidney function.[1] Some authors speculate that creatine supplementation of nursing mothers might help avoid creatine deficiency syndromes, but no studies are available that test this hypothesis.[2] Until more data are available, it is probably best to avoid creatine supplementation unless it is prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Possible effects of Creatine on milk supply
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Possible alternatives to Creatine
None listed
List of References
Lactation sources: Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501922/1. Hulsemann J, Manz F, Wember T, Schoch G. [Administration of creatine and creatinine with breast milk and infant milk preparations]. Klin Padiatr. 1987;199:292-5. PMID: 3657037
2. Wallimann T, Tokarska-Schlattner M, Schlattner U. The creatine kinase system and pleiotropic effects of creatine. Amino Acids. 2011;40:1271-96. PMID: 21448658
3. Peral MJ, Galvez M, Soria ML, Ilundain AA. Developmental decrease in rat small intestinal creatine uptake. Mech Ageing Dev. 2005;126:523-30. PMID: 15722111
Disclaimer: This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consult your healthcare provider with any questions.
