It does not enhance aerobic performance. Under the 1994 Dietary and Food Supplement Health and Education Act it is available without a prescription. The only recommendation from the FDA is that one should consult with a physician before using creatine. Adolescents are discouraged from taking creatine. Ditto for those with kidney disease or those taking a medication excreted by the kidneys.
Creatine poses risks with no known benefit for nonathletes.
Manufacturers insist there are no known side effects but no one knows what dosages are safe or what the long-term effects might be. There are numerous reports of cramps, nausea, dehydration and delayed healing following muscle strains. The deaths of three collegiate wrestlers evoked deep concern about the use of creatine. The body manufactures 1-3 grams a day of creatine in the liver and kidneys. It seems senseless to take more than that amount on a daily basis.