CreaBev® (Creatine HCl)
Also known as: CreaBev, Creatine hydrochloride, Creatine HCl, Con-Cret, Buffered creatine HCl
This ingredient is classified as unclassified risk (GIRI score: 1.5/10).
Safety Profile
Known Safety Concerns
- Same profile as creatine monohydrate; limited RCT superiority evidence vs monohydrate; caution in chronic kidney disease; muscle water retention (1–2 kg)
Contraindications
- Same profile as creatine monohydrate; limited RCT superiority evidence vs monohydrate; caution in chronic kidney disease; muscle water retention (1–2 kg)
Interactions
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Evidence and Scientific Findings
Ingredient Overview
CreaBev® is a branded form of Creatine Hydrochloride (Creatine HCl) — creatine salt formed by bonding creatine with hydrochloric acid. Key claimed advantages over standard Creatine Monohydrate: (1) Significantly higher water solubility (~38× more soluble than creatine monohydrate) → dissolves completely in beverages without gritty texture or sediment, enabling clear drink formulations; (2) Lower pH (acidic environment) — claimed to resist conversion to creatinine in acidic stomach environment more effectively; (3) Smaller serving dose required per manufacturer claims (1–2 g vs 3–5 g for monohydrate). Mechanism of action is identical to all creatine forms: phosphocreatine resynthesis → ATP regeneration during high-intensity exercise → increased power output, strength, and lean mass. IMPORTANT EVIDENCE NOTE: Direct comparative RCT evidence for CreaBev®/Creatine HCl superiority over Creatine Monohydrate is limited. Creatine Monohydrate (especially Creapure® grade) remains the most extensively studied form with the strongest evidence base (500+ RCTs). The solubility advantage of CreaBev® is well-documented; efficacy equivalence at lower doses has not been demonstrated in robust head-to-head trials. Generally safe: same safety profile as creatine monohydrate. Not a prohibited substance (WADA-permitted). Water retention in muscle during supplementation (1–2 kg bodyweight gain — water, not fat). Increase water intake. GI discomfort rare at normal doses. Caution in chronic kidney disease.
Biological and Chemical Classification
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Mechanism of Action
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Pharmacokinetics
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
Recommended Dosage
Information not yet available for this ingredient profile.
SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index
Evidence unavailable.
No peer-reviewed studies with traceable links have been retrieved for this ingredient. Use the button below to fetch evidence from PubMed.
Score Transparency
0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.
Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies
Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.
Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals
Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.
One or more monitoring-level safety signals active
Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.
Final GIRI Score for CreaBev® (Creatine HCl). Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
Full methodology & data sources
The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.
- References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
- Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
- Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
- Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Risk Level Classification
Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a low safety concern under normal conditions of use.
0–3.0
3.0–5.5
5.5–7.5
7.5–10
The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.
What drove the Low classification for CreaBev® (Creatine HCl)
A score of 1.5 places this ingredient in the Low band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.
0 approved references.
Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).
Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.
No active signals — S component is at neutral baseline (0.5), contributing no extra risk weight.
No major regulatory restrictions or advisories recorded across monitored jurisdictions (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others).
How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?
The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:
| Level | Score | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| LOW | 0.0 – 2.9 | Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts. |
| MODERATE | 3.0 – 5.4 | Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups. |
| HIGH | 5.5 – 7.4 | Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended. |
| CRITICAL | 7.5 – 10 | Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision. |
Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.