creatine hcl vs monohydrate

What's the verdict here?
Anyone use hcl?

What appeals to me is that they claim there is no cycling off and zero conversion to creatinine. So that means no stress to the kidneys. Micro dosing means once a day servings to make it cost effective

Thoughts

Here is the information that was submitted for the Patent application for Creatine HCl. Yes bioavailability is higher, but that just means you need less for an effective dose. If there was evidence that it gave better results then surely it would be in the document. At the price they are asking it's plain crazy in my opinion, although it is very convenient:


CREATINE ORAL SUPPLEMENTATION USING CREATINE HYDROCHLORIDE SALT

The present invention (Creatine HCl) is directed to a third generation form of creatine, specifically a creatine hydrochloride salt ("creatine HCl") that has improved aqueous solubility, plasma uptake, and shelf-life over that of previous forms of creatine. The present invention further contemplates suitable methods to produce the creatine HCl in a granular precipitate form with high purity and yield.

The creatine HCl of the present invention may be used as a nutritional supplement for enhancing muscle performance and muscle mass in both humans and livestock, including muscle quality in livestock. In this regard, based on the known beneficial qualities of creatine with regard to muscle development and recovery, it is believed that the improvements in solubility and plasma uptake of the creatine HCl of the present invention also lead to significant improvements in muscle development and recovery as compared to creatine monohydrate. Moreover, without being bound to any particular theory, the improvements in the solubility and plasma uptake also reduce or essentially eliminate the negative side effects typically associated with previous forms of creatine.

Creatine HCl Solubility

As the low oral absorption of creatine supplements are believed to be attributable at least in part to reduced solubility, the creatine HCl of the present invention is also expected to have better oral absorption properties compared to other forms of creatine.

In comparison, the aqueous solubility of other forms of creatine including creatine monohydrate and creatine citrate salt typically ranges from about 10 to about 16 mg/mL. Accordingly, the creatine HCl of the present invention exhibits an aqueous solubility that is at least about 15 times greater than that of creatine monohydrate. In one embodiment, the aqueous solubility of the creatine HCl is at least about 20 times greater than that of creatine monohydrate, preferably at least about 30 times greater than that of creatine monohydrate. In another embodiment, the creatine HCl has an aqueous solubility that is at least about 40 times greater than that of creatine monohydrate, preferably at least about 50 times greater than that of creatine monohydrate. For example, the aqueous solubility of the creatine HCl is preferably 42 times greater than that of creatine monohydrate when tested at room temperature (25° C.) after a time period of about 1.5 hours.

Creatine HCl Bioavailability

The creatine HCl of the present invention exhibits improved bioavailability compared to creatine monohydrate. As used herein, the term "bioavailability" refers to the rate and amount of a drug (or in this case a supplement) that reaches the systemic circulation of a patient following administration of the drug or prodrug thereof to the patient.

The relative bioavailability of creatine HCl is preferably about 50 percent greater than creatine monohydrate, more preferably about 55 percent greater than creatine monohydrate and most preferably about 60 percent greater than creatine monohydrate. In one embodiment, the bioavailability of the creatine HCl is at least about 65 percent greater than bioavailability of creatine monohydrate. In another embodiment, the creatine HCl has a bioavailability of at least about 70 percent greater relative to creatine monohydrate.

Supplement Forms

In comparison to creatine monohydrate, the effective dose of creatine HCl is at least about 50 percent less than the effective dose of creatine monohydrate. In another embodiment, the effective dose of creatine HCl is at least about 55 percent less than the effective dose of creatine monohydrate. In yet another embodiment, the effective dose of creatine HCl is at least about 60 percent less, preferably at least about 65 percent less, than the effective dose of creatine monohydrate.

It is contemplated that the oral supplementation of this invention may be provided in a solid oral dosage form, such as in a capsule form, for treatment requirements when taken by a human, animal, and the like. Oral dosage forms encompass tablets, dragees, and capsules. In addition, the creatine HCl may be in a form that can be administered rectally, such as a suppository. Other dosage forms include suitable solutions for administration topically, parenterally or orally, and compositions which can be administered buccally or sublingually.


...and what I reckon is the most relevant information from their study:

"Bioavailability studies were performed in healthy human volunteers to compare the amount of creatine absorbed following oral administration of a 5 gram dose of either creatine monohydrate or creatine HCl. A two-arm cross-over experimental design was used in which each subject received both creatine monohydrate and creatine HCl. The order of treatment was randomly assigned and there was a 1-week wash out period between creatine treatments. Blood samples were taken immediately prior to creatine monohydrate and creatine HCl ingestion and at various time points thereafter (30-120 minutes). Plasma creatine was significantly elevated following either creatine monohydrate or creatine HCl administration. However, peak creatine plasma concentrations and plasma area under the curve (AUC) was significantly greater in the creatine HCl treatment arm.

The relative bioavailability was determined according to FDA standards for comparing a drug/nutritional supplement from two different formulations using the equation: AUC A * dose B/AUC B * dose A. The resultant relative bioavailability for creatine HC compared to creatine monohydrate was 1.65 with an SEM value of 0.12. These results suggest an approximately 50 percent increase in bioavailability for creatine HCl."