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SHEET /vs/creatine-vs-creatinine · COMPARISON

Creatine vs Creatinine: what is the difference?

CreatineC4H9N3O2 CreatinineC4H7N3O

How they differ

from source

These are constantly mixed up and one is simply the waste product of the other. Creatine is stored in muscle as phosphocreatine, a rapid phosphate reserve that regenerates ATP in the first seconds of hard effort, which is what makes it useful as a sports supplement. Creatinine is what creatine becomes when that molecule spontaneously cyclises and loses water, at a fairly constant rate proportional to muscle mass. The kidneys clear creatinine, so its level in blood is a standard measure of kidney function, and that is why a creatine supplement can raise a measured creatinine reading without anything being wrong with the kidneys. The weights differ by exactly the lost water, 131.13 against 113.12.

Side by side

 CreatineCreatinine
FormulaC4H9N3O2C4H7N3O
Molecular weight131.13 g/mol113.12 g/mol
FamilyAmino acidsOther
Everyday groupBodyBody
Functional groupsCarboxylic Acids, AminesAmines, Phenols
GHS signal wordThe supplier-filed hazard label, not a statement about ordinary use.Warningnot recorded
Found inRed meat, Fish, Cured meatnot recorded
CAS number57-00-1616875-85-5
PubChem CID58626009888

Common questions

What is the difference between Creatine and Creatinine?
These are constantly mixed up and one is simply the waste product of the other. Creatine is stored in muscle as phosphocreatine, a rapid phosphate reserve that regenerates ATP in the first seconds of hard effort, which is what makes it useful as a sports supplement. Creatinine is what creatine becomes when that molecule spontaneously cyclises and loses water, at a fairly constant rate proportional to muscle mass.
Is Creatine bigger than Creatinine?
Creatine is the heavier molecule, 131.13 g/mol against 113.12 g/mol for Creatinine. Creatine is C4H9N3O2 and Creatinine is C4H7N3O.

Read the full records: Creatine and Creatinine.