Creatine HCl
Creatine HCl suppliers and sourcing guide
Creatine HCl is the hydrochloride salt of creatine, a guanidino compound related to the amino acids. Commercial creatine is synthesized from sarcosine and cyanamide, and the hydrochloride is made by reacting creatine with hydrochloric acid and crystallizing the salt. It is far more water-soluble than creatine monohydrate but supplies less creatine per gram (about 78% versus about 88%), so brands dose on creatine content.
- Category
- Proteins and amino acids
- Also known as
- Creatine hydrochloride · Creatine monohydrochloride · N-(Aminoiminomethyl)-N-methylglycine hydrochloride
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of creatine hcl
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Crystalline powder
Standard creatine HCl powder for capsules, tablets and drink mixes.
Micronized
Finer-milled powder for faster dissolving in drink mixes.
Branded grades
Creatine HCl sold under brand names, some with patents on the salt form; check whether a license comes with the material.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity
- Infrared spectrum matched to a reference standard, plus a chloride identification test.
- Assay
- Creatine content by HPLC, with chloride content by titration to confirm the salt ratio.
- Process impurities
- Creatinine, dicyandiamide and dihydrotriazine by HPLC, the impurities set out in the USP creatine monograph.
- Loss on drying and residue on ignition
- Moisture by loss on drying and inorganic residue as residue on ignition.
- Heavy metals and microbiology
- Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, plus total plate count, yeast and mold, E. coli and Salmonella.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store creatine HCl in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place; it is hygroscopic and acidic in solution, so keep liners sealed and avoid contact with reactive metals. Creatine slowly converts to creatinine when wet or in solution, which is why dry storage matters. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, creatinine and loss on drying are the usual retest points.
Lots and expiry dates
Record creatine content, chloride and creatinine for each lot and dose on creatine content. Rotate stock FEFO and check creatinine on older lots.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists creatine hydrochloride among the source ingredients for creatine.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)The same entry requires raw material or finished product specifications to meet the process-related impurity acceptance criteria of the USP Creatine monograph or another recognized pharmacopoeia.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Creatine HCl suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking creatine hcl suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell creatine hcl? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of creatine hcl can brands buy?
Common forms include crystalline powder, micronized and branded grades. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for creatine hcl include?
Expect identity, assay, process impurities, loss on drying and residue on ignition and heavy metals and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should creatine hcl be stored?
Store creatine HCl in tightly closed, lined containers in a cool, dry place; it is hygroscopic and acidic in solution, so keep liners sealed and avoid contact with reactive metals. Creatine slowly converts to creatinine when wet or in solution, which is why dry storage matters. Shelf life or retest date is set by the supplier's specification; assay, creatinine and loss on drying are the usual retest points.
What is the regulatory status of creatine hcl?
Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists creatine hydrochloride among the source ingredients for creatine. The same entry requires raw material or finished product specifications to meet the process-related impurity acceptance criteria of the USP Creatine monograph or another recognized pharmacopoeia.
More proteins and amino acids
- Collagen Peptideshydrolyzed collagen · collagen hydrolysate
- Creatine Monohydratecreatine · micronized creatine
- L-TheanineTheanine · N-ethyl-L-glutamine
- Pea ProteinPisum sativum protein · pea protein isolate
- Whey Protein IsolateWPI · whey isolate
- Whey protein concentrateWPC · WPC 80
- Whey protein hydrolysateWPH · hydrolyzed whey protein
- Micellar caseinmicellar casein isolate · casein micelles
- Milk protein concentrateMPC · MPC 70
- Milk protein isolateMPI · milk protein
- Sodium caseinatecasein sodium · caseinate sodium salt
- Calcium caseinatecasein calcium · caseinate calcium salt
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