Supplement timing
Best Time to Take Creatine: Does Timing Matter?
By Midline. Last reviewed .
The question
What is the best time to take creatine?
Short answer
Take creatine every day. The time of day is up to you, so pick one you will remember.
Midline cannot measure visceral fat and is not medical advice. Check with a doctor before making medical decisions.
When should you take it?
Take creatine every day. The time of day is up to you, so pick one you will remember.
Darren Candow says morning, evening or during a workout all work.
In Midline, creatine sits in the first-meal slot. You can move it to any time you'll remember.
The blog goes deeper: when to take creatine.
Who should ask a doctor first?
Ask your doctor first about creatine if you have a kidney condition, and tell your doctor you take it before blood tests.
Darren Candow says trials show no kidney harm in healthy people. Ask your doctor first if you have a kidney condition or are under 18.
Do supplements help with fat loss?
Supplements sold to fix your gut and speed up weight loss do too little to matter. Habits come first.
Midline schedules creatine as part of a routine, not as a fat-loss tool.
Who should check first?
Follow the label. If you take any medicine, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a kidney or liver condition, check with your pharmacist or doctor first.
Check with your pharmacist or doctor about supplements if you take medication.
Want the right time for each supplement on one schedule? Read best time to take supplements, or start with the quick middle check.
Frequently asked questions
Does the time of day matter for creatine?
Take creatine every day. The time of day is up to you, so pick one you will remember.
Is it better to take creatine before or after a workout?
Darren Candow says morning, evening or during a workout all work. Take it every day, not only on training days.
Who should ask a doctor before taking creatine?
Ask your doctor first if you have a kidney condition, take medicines that can affect your kidneys, or are under 18.
Do supplements help with fat loss?
Supplements sold to fix your gut and speed up weight loss do too little to matter. Habits come first.
Should I check with a pharmacist before taking creatine?
Check with your pharmacist or doctor about supplements if you take medication.
Keep reading
More answers
Sources
- Alan Aragon on The Diary Of A CEO. Alan Aragon, The Diary Of A CEOSupplements sold to fix the gut and boost weight loss show effects too small to matter in practice.
- Darren Candow on The Diary Of A CEO. Darren Candow, The Diary Of A CEOIdeally take it every day, not only on training days. Morning, evening or during a workout all work, and you can split the amount.
- Layne Norton on The Diary Of A CEO. Layne Norton, The Diary Of A CEOPuts creatine monohydrate in his first tier of supplements and takes it every day.
- Matthew Walker on The Diary Of A CEO. Matthew Walker, The Diary Of A CEOReaching for sleep supplements before fixing the basics is, in his words, stepping over dollars to pick up pennies.
- Rhonda Patrick on The Diary Of A CEO. Rhonda Patrick, The Diary Of A CEOTaken consistently every day, creatine fills your muscles in about three to four weeks, so no loading phase is needed.
All sources across the site are listed on the sources page.
Last reviewed . Educational only, not medical advice. Check with your pharmacist if you take medication.
We draft articles with AI help. A reviewer checks every health statement against the expert's own words in the video before it goes up.