# Creatine harming liver and kidneys **URL:** \ **Category:** Medical Q&A \[Moderated\]\ **Created:** [November 3, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133 "2024-11-03T14:29:43Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BingBong54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@BingBong54](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BingBong54)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 2:29pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/1 "2024-11-03T14:29:43Z")
Hello. Does creatine harm the liver and kidneys? I used dosages that were not large for performance enhancement. ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [November 3, 2024, 2:33pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/2 "2024-11-03T14:33:39Z")
Creatine has no effect on the liver or kidney, though it can cyclize into creatinine, a marker of kidney function once in the body. Still, it has no effect on kidney. I’m not sure what you mean regarding doses, as attempted study of medicinal uses for creatine use much higher doses than the 0.03-0.05 g/kg range for performance. That said, data is not particularly strong for health benefits of creatine supplementation. We talk more about creatine in this article: > **[Creatine: Benefits, Side Effects & Safe Consumption](https://www.barbellmedicine.com/blog/what-is-creatine/)** > > Creatine is one of the most widely consumed dietary supplements globally, accounting for an estimated $520 million dollars-a-year market by 2024. ---
**Author:** ![BingBong54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@BingBong54](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BingBong54)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2024, 4:26pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/3 "2024-11-04T16:26:47Z")
Yeah. I just take some creatine pills for performance usually 3 before exercise and like 4 atter. Someone told me that there is a certain amount of water that I need to drink or it is life threatening. ---
**Author:** ![BingBong54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@BingBong54](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BingBong54)\ **Post date:** [November 4, 2024, 4:27pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/4 "2024-11-04T16:27:59Z")
What are your thoughts on that? ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [November 5, 2024, 2:42pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/5 "2024-11-05T14:42:36Z")
Hard to comment on the dosing without knowing the amount in each pill, though I think 0.03-0.05 g/kg bodyweight is enough. Creatine is not dehydrating nor does it directly require more water intake for any particular reason. It’s certainly not life threatening in any way, shape, or form. ---
**Author:** ![BingBong54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@BingBong54](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BingBong54)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 5:31pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/6 "2024-11-06T17:31:06Z")
Would you recommend taking it just before and after workout? ---
**Author:** ![BingBong54](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/919ad9/32.png) [@BingBong54](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/BingBong54)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2024, 6:01pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/7 "2024-11-06T18:01:11Z")
What are your thoughts on BCAAs? ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hahn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/dave_hahn/32/4981_2.png) [@Dave\_Hahn](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Dave_Hahn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 2:18am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/8 "2024-11-07T02:18:56Z")
No, take it once a day. No need to time it. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Hahn](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/dave_hahn/32/4981_2.png) [@Dave\_Hahn](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Dave_Hahn)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 2:20am UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/9 "2024-11-07T02:20:26Z")
I don’t mean to speak for Jordan. From my point of view, BCAAs are probably a waste of money if you’re already getting enough protein anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2024, 2:59pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/10 "2024-11-07T14:59:17Z")
Agreed, save for situations where people are unable to consume enough protein. ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2026, 2:20pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/11 "2026-06-04T14:20:16Z")
[quote=“Jordan\_Feigenbaum, post:2, topic:15133”] Still, it has no effect on kidney. [/quote] Would that be only healthy kidneys or have any studies been done on those with CKD? ---
**Author:** ![Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex001/user_avatar/forum.barbellmedicine.com/jordan_feigenbaum/32/1315_2.png) [@Jordan\_Feigenbaum](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/u/Jordan_Feigenbaum)\ **Post date:** [June 4, 2026, 3:10pm UTC](https://forum.barbellmedicine.com/t/creatine-harming-liver-and-kidneys/15133/12 "2026-06-04T15:10:01Z")
Yes, they have studied it in individuals on dialysis and found it reduced cramps. It does not affect the kidney at all.