Creatine nitrate is a mixed creatine salt of creatine with an organic nitrate or nitrite group. The synthesis of creatine nitrate also results in creatine nitrate esters, although possibly in very low yield . Upon ingestion or in solution, the compound will disassociate into their respective parent ions. Nitrate (NO.sub3) will undergo metabolism to Nitric Oxide (NO) in smooth muscle tissue, resulting in vasodilation.
Some evidence exists to suggest that a creatine nitrate derivative would enhance absorption and decrease intestinal distress, which is commonly reported for creatine supplementation. In a study using NSAID nitroxybutyl dervivatives, it was determined that NSAID NO-donor analogues had greater, or equal, NSAID effectivness with significantly decreased GI distress as measured by ulcerogenic effects. Other NSAID nitrate derivatives have shared similar success with reducing GI distress, while not reducing drug effectiveness. In the same study, it was determined that ester hydrolysis would occur in the stomach, reducing the drug to its parent compound and organic nitrate. These conditions would appear to support the use of a nitrate salt, which would already be dissosociated from its parent compound. Similarly, nitrate salts of dextromethorphan and ambroxol have been shown to be more effective than their HCl salt derivatives.