But Reimers said the boom in creatine supplement sales began after the 1992 Olympics. Although creatine has gained popularity in recent years, there are some side effects and the safety of taking creatine for long periods of time is unknown. No creatine research has been done on youths. Reimers said creatine users may develop stomach cramps or diarrhea. But reducing the dosage could help eliminate those side effects.
Anecdotal reports suggest higher incidence of muscle cramps in athletes using creatine.
Dehydration may compound the problem. That side effect may be solved by drinking more fluids, Reimers said. Also, a weight gain of about 5-10 pounds usually occurs two to three weeks after creatine supplementation begins. Dosage used in ICSN research has come up with two phases. In the loading phase, the recommended dosage is 20-30 grams a day split into four to five doses for up to 14 days.