GNC Creatine/Creatine Extreme..

Alright, just picked up GNC Creatine Mono, with 24 servings, of 5 pills for 3.5 g's of creatine. Honestly, I have absolutely no idea how much creatine is ideal daily. I read on hte back of hte Creatine Extreme (my brothers, just stopped using) that you should take with Creatine Monohydrate?
 
 Does anyone have any idea how I should mess with the servings, (how much to take of each, when to take, etc..)
 
 SHould I mix the two, or just keep them both for seperate cycles?
 
 Should I take 2 servings a day if I'm just starting out on creatine. I lift everyday, but recently took a few weeks due to a major surgery.
 
 Lastly, what should I expect from taking hte creatine? (side effects, gains, etc...)?
 
 Thanks a lot. First post, hopefully I'll recieve a good amount of feedback.

stick with 5g of creatine a day.  take it immediately after workout for best results IMO.  on off days take it when ever but not to late.  you only need one protein.  if one is powder i would go with it because it will get into your system faster than the pills i think.