The goal should be to saturate the muscle with the creatine. The is typical easiest to do by feeding the body when most depleted. For most people that will be first thing after waking up and / or after working out. If you are taking in 4-5 grams of monohydrate per day you will be fine; HCL will be significantly less but I don't use it so I won't speak to it.
Also, like RickRock said, if you get loose stool, cut back. This is a sign that you are not absorbing it all.