Can You Take Creatine and Sodium Bicarbonate Together?

May affect absorption

The short answer

Sodium bicarbonate buffers lactic acid during high-intensity exercise, while creatine enhances phosphocreatine resynthesis. Both target performance through complementary pathways, but the high sodium load from bicarbonate combined with creatine's water retention may cause GI bloating.

How to arrange timing

A potentially beneficial ergogenic stack. Start with lower sodium bicarbonate doses (0.2 g/kg) to assess GI tolerance before using full doses.

Reference

Reference noted for this combination: Carr AJ et al. Effects of acute alkalosis and acidosis on performance: a meta-analysis. Sports Med. 2011;41(10):801-814

Important context

Whether supplements suit you together also depends on dose, product formulation, health conditions, and medication use. Ask a doctor or pharmacist first if you take medication, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have a chronic condition.