Creatine Nitrate: Claims Checked Against the Evidence
Creatine nitrate is creatine bound to nitrate. See what the small human trials found, how it compares with monohydrate, and what the sources say about safety.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Uses studied and safety checks for Creatine Nitrate
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people, from the lab or from tradition, which product and way of use was tested, and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one product or one way of using it does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (4)
- Nitrate, blood pressure and low blood pressure. A 2022 review says nitrates may lower blood pressure, so there is some concern about low blood pressure with creatine nitrate. A 6-day trial found no difference in hemodynamic responses from placebo.
- Kidney test (creatinine and eGFR) change. Creatine raises creatinine. A trial of a creatine nitrate plus creatinine blend lowered eGFR by about 15% on average in 10 men, and none fell below the clinical cutoff of 60.
- Blood urea nitrogen in a 28-day trial. In one 28-day trial, urea nitrogen went above the normal range in one lab's 2 g group; authors said people with already high levels may see this.
- Product quality and label accuracy. A review of 175 online creatine products found only 8% third-party certified, 21.7% blends of forms, and about 88% of non-monohydrate products with limited or no evidence of bioavailability, efficacy and safety.
Creatine nitrate versus monohydrate
Not enough evidenceCreatine nitrate is creatine bound to nitrate. Only a few small trials exist, and only 3 trials in a 2022 review compared an alternative form with monohydrate.
Supplements: Monohydrate remains the only form with substantial evidence of bioavailability, efficacy and safety (2022 review; authors have industry ties).
Creatine nitrate and strength or power
Preliminary or mixedIn small trials of 6 to 28 days, some strength and power measures improved with certain amounts of creatine nitrate, while a 7-day crossover trial in 12 trained men found no exercise gains.
Supplements: Small, short, different amounts; one review says it is unclear whether creatine or nitrate caused the gains.
Creatine nitrate and absorption or solubility claims
Not enough evidenceBlood creatine was lower after 1.5 g or 3 g of creatine nitrate than after 5 g of monohydrate. Muscle creatine results conflict between trials.
Supplements: No consistent evidence of better uptake; a 10-person crossover found a larger muscle creatine rise, with a short washout that may have confounded it.
Nitrate and the 'nitric oxide' claim
Not enough evidencePlasma nitrate rose with creatine nitrate in a trial, but no source we read shows that this adds a blood-flow or performance benefit beyond monohydrate.
Supplements: Not shown to add benefit in the sources read.
Creatine nitrate and thinking
Preliminary or mixedOne 12-person crossover trial found a better Stroop thinking-test score only when creatine nitrate was taken with caffeine, and no exercise gain.
Supplements: One small trial; the effect appeared only with caffeine.
Short-term safety trials of creatine nitrate
Preliminary or mixedTrials of 6 to 28 days found blood markers mostly within normal ranges and few side effects, though they were small and short.
Supplements: Information on tolerability only; long-term safety is not established for this form.
Regulatory status in the United States
Not enough evidenceThe 2022 review reports that the FDA acknowledged a creatine nitrate notification at 750 mg a day without objection.
Supplements: Does not show efficacy.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Health goals (4)
- Blood Pressure SupportDocumented risk
A review notes nitrates may lower blood pressure; this is a caution about low blood pressure, not a benefit.
- Cognitive PerformancePreliminary or mixed
One 12-person crossover trial found a better thinking-test score only with caffeine added.
- Peak PerformancePreliminary or mixed
A few small trials of creatine nitrate show some strength or power gains at some amounts; others show none, and no head-to-head win over monohydrate has been shown.
- Physical StaminaPreliminary or mixed
Muscular endurance improved in some small trials, but a review says this may reflect the nitrate and is unrelated to muscle creatine.
Body systems (3)
- Kidney & UrinaryDocumented risk
Creatine can raise kidney blood test values; one trial of a nitrate and creatinine blend lowered eGFR. People with kidney disease should ask a clinician first.
- Bones, Joints & MusclesPreliminary or mixed
Creatine fuels muscle effort, and small trials of the nitrate form report some strength gains with mixed results.
- Heart & CirculationDocumented risk
A review raises a concern that nitrates may lower blood pressure; a 6-day trial found no difference from placebo.
Body parts (4)
- KidneysDocumented risk
Creatine nitrate trials report changes in creatinine, urea nitrogen or eGFR in some groups.
- Blood VesselsDocumented risk
Nitrate may lower blood pressure, according to a review; trial hemodynamics did not differ from placebo over 6 days.
- BrainPreliminary or mixed
One small trial found a thinking-test change only when taken with caffeine.
- MusclesPreliminary or mixed
Muscle creatine rose in some creatine nitrate trials and not others.
Functional actions (1)
- Energy ProductionPreliminary or mixed
Creatine takes part in short-burst muscle energy; whether the nitrate form adds to this is unproven.
Root causes (1)
- Medication Side EffectsDocumented risk
Possible low blood pressure with nitrate and blood pressure medicines is a concern raised by a review; not tested in a trial we read.
Habits (2)
- Resistance TrainingPreliminary or mixed
Trials tested creatine nitrate alongside resistance exercise with mixed results.
- Strength TrainingPreliminary or mixed
Trials tested creatine nitrate alongside resistance exercise with mixed results.
Biomarkers (1)
- CreatinineDocumented risk
Creatine and creatine nitrate trials report creatinine or eGFR changes; interpret kidney tests with that in mind.
Conditions & symptoms (2)
- Kidney DiseasesDocumented risk
Creatine can change kidney blood test values and people with kidney disease should ask a clinician first. Nitrate-form trials were in healthy people.
- HypotensionDocumented risk
A review raises a concern that nitrates may lower blood pressure; a 6-day trial in healthy people found no difference from placebo.
What creatine nitrate is
Creatine is a compound your muscles use for short bursts of power. Creatine nitrate is creatine joined (ionically bonded) to nitrate, a salt. By weight it is about 67.5% creatine, so 1 g would theoretically give about 0.675 g of creatine and 0.325 g of nitrate. [1] It is a different product from creatine monohydrate, so a result in one does not carry over to the other. For the basics, see creatine.Two selling points are common. One is that it dissolves better. The other is that the nitrate adds a "nitric oxide" or blood-flow benefit. The sources we read describe marketing claims of greater bioavailability for this form, with limited data behind them. [1] A review adds that how well a creatine form dissolves in water does not show how well muscle takes it up. [1]
How it differs from creatine monohydrate
| Question | Creatine monohydrate | Creatine nitrate |
|---|---|---|
| Creatine by weight | About 87.9% [1] | About 67.5% [1] |
| Human research | Large body of trials; the most studied form [10] | A handful of small trials, mostly 1 to 4 weeks [4][5][6][8] |
| Blood creatine after one dose | Higher over 5 hours than the nitrate form in one study (5 g of monohydrate vs 1.5 g or 3 g of the nitrate form) [4][1] | Lower than 5 g of monohydrate at both amounts tested [4][1] |
| Long-term safety data | Studies of years reported by a position stand [10] | Up to 28 days in the trials we read [4][6] |
| Cost in one online review | Lowest per gram [3][9] | Not separately reported in the sources we read |
The amounts above are what trials used, not advice. Because the two forms hold different amounts of creatine per gram, comparing "the same scoop" is not like for like. A 2026 review of 343 trials of oral creatine found that the few trials comparing forms were often limited by non-equal creatine dosing. [11] See also monohydrate versus other forms.
What research shows
| Who | How many | How long | Form | Result | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Healthy active adults, performance and muscle creatine | 48 | 28 days | 1.5 or 3 g a day of nitrate form vs 3 g monohydrate | Only the 3 g nitrate group beat placebo on bench press lifting volume; muscle creatine rose at day 7 with monohydrate and the high nitrate dose, then fell for the high nitrate dose by day 28. [4] | Mixed |
| Men and women, strength | 28 | 6 days, crossover | 3 or 6 g a day | The 6 g group improved one-rep bench and leg press; the 3 g group did not. Hemodynamics and blood markers did not differ from placebo. [5] | Promising but limited |
| Resistance-trained men, exercise and thinking | 12 | 7 days, crossover | 5 g a day, alone or with caffeine | No exercise gains. A Stroop thinking-test score improved only with creatine nitrate plus caffeine. [8] | Insufficient evidence |
| Healthy young men, muscle creatine | 10 | 5 days, crossover | 3 g nitrate form, with or without 3 g creatinine, vs 3 g monohydrate | Muscle creatine rose more with the nitrate forms (about 8% to 10%) than monohydrate (about 2%). The review authors say the 7-day washout may have confounded this. [7][1] | Insufficient evidence |
| Healthy young adults, safety | 58 | 28 days | 1 or 2 g a day | Blood markers stayed in normal range, with some changes in individuals. [6] | Promising but limited (safety only) |
The authors of the 2022 review judged that results on muscle creatine are conflicting, and that the endurance gains in the first trial were unrelated to muscle creatine, which suggests they may have come from the nitrate rather than the creatine. They also say it is unclear whether the nitrate form adds anything beyond taking monohydrate with a separate nitrate source. [1] A 2022 systematic review of 17 trials found no consistent performance gain from alternative forms (nitrate among them) over placebo, and only 3 trials compared an alternative form with monohydrate. [3] A 2011 review found little to no evidence that newer forms are more effective or safer. [2]
Several of these trials were small and short, and several authors of the reviews disclose ties to creatine or supplement companies. [1]
Forms, labels and what to check
- Creatine nitrate is sold as powder, capsules and in pre-workout blends. In blends, any benefit cannot be pinned on the nitrate form, because they also contain caffeine and other ingredients. [1]
- Check whether the label lists creatine nitrate, the amount of the form, and how much actual creatine that gives. Pre-workout mixes may also list caffeine.
- The review notes that the FDA acknowledged a 2017 notification for creatine nitrate at 750 mg a day without objection. [1] That is a regulatory statement about notification, not proof that it works.
- Look for third-party testing seals. See creatine label reading.
Related pages
Frequently asked questions
What is creatine nitrate?
It is creatine bound to nitrate, about 67.5% creatine by weight. [1]
Is creatine nitrate better than monohydrate?
Proper evidence not found. Only 3 trials in a 2022 review compared an alternative form with monohydrate, and in one pharmacokinetic study blood creatine was lower with the nitrate form. [3][4]
Does the nitrate give a "nitric oxide" boost?
Nitrate in the blood did rise in one trial, but the review authors say it is unclear whether any gains came from creatine or nitrate. [1][4]
Can it lower blood pressure?
A review says nitrates may lower blood pressure and raises this as a concern. [1] One 6-day trial found no difference from placebo in hemodynamic responses. [5] Ask a pharmacist if you take blood pressure medicine.
Does it help thinking?
One 12-person trial found a better Stroop score only when creatine nitrate was taken with caffeine, and no exercise gains. [8]
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Quick safety points
- Creatine nitrate has only a few small, short human trials, so long-term safety is not established. A 2022 critical review says monohydrate remains the only form with substantial evidence of bioavailability, efficacy and safety. [1]
- The same review notes that nitrates may lower blood pressure, so there has been some concern about low blood pressure with creatine nitrate, especially around hard exercise or at higher-than-recommended amounts. [1]
- In a 6-day crossover trial of 28 people, resting blood pressure response and blood chemistry did not differ from placebo. [5] That is a short trial and does not cover people on blood pressure medicines.
- Like other creatine, it can raise the blood creatinine used in kidney tests. One trial of a creatine nitrate and creatinine blend lowered a kidney score (eGFR) by about 15% in 10 men, though no one fell below the clinical cutoff. [7] People with kidney disease should ask a clinician first.
- Sport products can be mislabeled. A review of 175 online creatine products found only 8% were third-party certified. [9]
- Sources we read gave no pregnancy, breastfeeding or children's data for this form. Proper evidence not found.
Safety and cautions
- Blood pressure medicines and low blood pressure: the nitrate concern comes from a review, not from a trial of people on these medicines. [1] The trial that measured it found no difference from placebo at up to 6 g a day for 6 days. [5] A pharmacist or clinician can check this for anyone who takes blood pressure or heart medicines. See creatine, liver, blood pressure and heart.
- Kidneys: see creatine, kidneys and creatinine testing. In the 28-day safety trial, urea nitrogen rose beyond the normal range in one lab's 2 g group, and the authors said people with already high levels may see this. [6]
- Pregnancy, breastfeeding and children: Proper evidence not found for this form in the sources we read.
- Sport testing and quality: only 8% of 175 online creatine products were third-party certified. [9]
References
- Kreider RB, Jager R, Purpura M. Bioavailability, Efficacy, Safety, and Regulatory Status of Creatine and Related Compounds: A Critical Review. Nutrients 2022 (full text read via Europe PMC, PMC8912867; authors disclose creatine-industry ties). Read 2026-10-24.
- Jager R, Purpura M, Shao A, Inoue T, Kreider RB. Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and regulatory status of novel forms of creatine. Amino Acids 2011 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Fazio C, Elder CL, Harris MM. Efficacy of Alternative Forms of Creatine Supplementation on Improving Performance and Body Composition in Healthy Subjects: A Systematic Review. J Strength Cond Res 2022 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Galvan E, Walker DK, Simbo SY, et al. Acute and chronic safety and efficacy of dose dependent creatine nitrate supplementation and exercise performance. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2016 (abstract read; study 1 n=13, study 2 n=48). Read 2026-10-24.
- Dalton RL, Sowinski RJ, Grubic TJ, et al. Hematological and Hemodynamic Responses to Acute and Short-Term Creatine Nitrate Supplementation. Nutrients 2017 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Joy JM, Lowery RP, Falcone PH, et al. 28 days of creatine nitrate supplementation is apparently safe in healthy individuals. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2014 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Ostojic SM, Stajer V, Vranes M, Ostojic J. Searching for a better formulation to enhance muscle bioenergetics: a randomized controlled trial of creatine nitrate plus creatinine vs. creatine nitrate vs. creatine monohydrate in healthy men. Food Sci Nutr 2019 (abstract read, partly truncated). Read 2026-10-24.
- Mabrey G, Koozehchian MS, Newton AT, et al. The Effect of Creatine Nitrate and Caffeine Individually or Combined on Exercise Performance and Cognitive Function. Nutrients 2024 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Escalante G, Gonzalez AM, St Mart D, et al. Analysis of the efficacy, safety, and cost of alternative forms of creatine available for purchase on Amazon.com: are label claims supported by science? Heliyon 2022 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.
- Kreider RB, Kalman DS, Antonio J, et al. International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: safety and efficacy of creatine supplementation in exercise, sport, and medicine. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2017 (full text read via PMC5469049; several authors declare industry ties). Read 2026-10-24.
- Bucevic Popovic V, Sovulj A, Raic S, et al. Methodological Approaches to Bioavailability of Oral Creatine in Randomized Controlled Trials: A Meta-Research Study. Nutrients 2026 (abstract read). Read 2026-10-24.