Prevagen Review: A Word Of Caution (2024)

Our Verdict

Prevagen is an over-the-counter product marketed to older adults with claims to improve memory loss associated with aging and increase healthy brain function, although clinical research validating such claims is limited. The main ingredient in Prevagen is apoaequorin, a protein originally derived from the luminescent proteins of jellyfish.

Key Features

  • Apoaequorin, the main ingredient in Prevagen, is a calcium-binding protein originally found in jellyfish, but the supplement features a lab-manufactured synthetic version of this protein.
  • According to the product label, the recommended dose is one capsule daily in the morning with or without food.
  • A regular-strength capsule of Prevagen contains 10 milligrams of apoaequorin, an extra-strength capsule contains 20 milligrams of apoaequorin and a professional-strength capsule contains 40 milligrams apoaequorin. All strengths also contain 50 micrograms of vitamin D.
  • The company claims results take effect within 90 days.

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Headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, Quincy Bioscience is the biotechnology company responsible for manufacturing Prevagen.

In 2017 the state of New York and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a claim against the company, asserting that it made false and unsubstantiated claims in Prevagen marketing regarding memory improvement and cognitive health benefits that violated the Federal Trade Commission Act and the laws of the state. The class action lawsuit was settled in 2020, allowing Quincy Bioscience to continue marketing Prevagen with a court-approved disclaimer, “based on a clinical study of subgroups of individuals who were cognitively normal or mildly impaired.” However, many remain critical of this settlement, given that this disclaimer’s technical meaning isn’t likely understood by the typical consumer of the product.

There are no peer-reviewed, independent, clinical studies available to support the health claims made directly by the makers of Prevagen regarding the product’s efficacy. The company’s website and other marketing materials state that Prevagen results are clinically proven, but the clinical research cited was performed by parent company Quincy Bioscience, which raises concerns about conflicts of interest.

ProsCons
  • Contains 50 micrograms of vitamin D
  • Meets quality standards for the NSF Contents Certified Program
  • No transparency regarding potential side effects
  • Product not regulated by the FDA
  • Parent company not accredited by the Better Business Bureau
  • Poor substantiation of marketed health claims

Prevagen at a Glance

  • Intended use: Users are advised to take one capsule daily by mouth in the morning with or without food, according to the product packaging. Chewable varieties are also available.
  • Cost: Prices range from $39.95 for 30 regular strength capsules (each containing 10 milligrams of apoaequorin) to $89.95 for 30 professional strength capsules (each containing 40 milligrams of apoaequorin). Prices and discounts vary by retailer.
  • Side effects: The product website doesn’t disclose any information regarding potential side effects. Instead, it says, “If you are concerned with any side effects, you may want to talk with your doctor before beginning Prevagen use.”

How Does Prevagen Work?

Research suggests there’s a range of substances, drugs, herbs and foods that have the capacity to enhance cognition. With over 50 million people living with dementia worldwide as of 2017 and over 10 million new cases appearing each year, it’s no surprise that cognitive health proves to be a profitable area for drug and supplement development and sales[1]Dementia. World Health Organization. Accessed 10/10/2022. .

Prevagen is an oral dietary supplement that must be digested before entering the bloodstream and traveling to the central nervous system (CNS) to have any subsequent effect on brain tissue or neurons. For an oral herb, drug or supplement to work to enhance memory or cognitive function, it would need to remain intact during digestion and then cross the blood-brain-barrier (BBB). Research shows that after the digestive process, if Prevagen proved able to cross the BBB and bind to calcium to cause a change in the CNS, its bioavailability could be too low in the doses provided in each capsule to produce a significant pharmacological effect.

The product website only lists one clinical study to support its efficacy, which is sponsored by Quincy Bioscience, the manufacturer of Prevagen. This study claims to use quantitative measures of memory and cognitive function to assess adult participants over 40 years old, and it states that the active ingredient apoaequorin is intended to support brain cells. Results reveal no significant cognitive health changes overall in participants who took Prevagen, with minor results in those who joined the study with either minimal or no cognitive impairment.

Adverse effects of apoaequorin are very rare, but research suggests they can include headache, nausea, constipation, edema and hypertension.

Prevagen comes in three formulations—regular strength, extra strength and professional strength—and 30-capsule and 60-capsule quantities.

“Prevagen must be taken for at least 90 days so the brain has time to acclimate to the product,” according to a representative from Quincy Bioscience. “The most cost-effective variety is the regular strength, with 10 milligrams of apoaequorin, but the most popular seller is the extra strength [formula] with 20 milligrams of apoaequorin.”

How Much Does Prevagen Cost?

Prevagen Product30 capsules60 capsules
Regular Strength$39.95$74.95
Extra Strength$59.95$109.95
Professional Strength$89.95N/A

Suggested retail prices are listed above. Prices and discounts vary by retailer.

Prevagen is available online via the product website and both online and in stores via a number of major retailers, including Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, Safeway, RiteAid, Bed Bath and Beyond, and more. A company representative says it’s important to make sure you’re purchasing Prevagen from an authorized seller, all of which are listed on the product website.

What Experts Say About Prevagen

According to a representative from Quincy Bioscience, Prevagen “helps improve short-term memory health associated with aging, sharper thinking and memory recall, and overall brain health and function. Apoaequorin was originally found in jellyfish by scientists, and they started to research what made them glow and their protective mechanism of stinging. This research led to the use of the fermented apoaequorin used within Prevagen.”

While research on the efficacy of synthetic apoaequorin as a memory-supporting ingredient is limited, research does show that older adults focused on healthy eating can experience cognitive health benefits.

“A healthy dietary pattern has been shown to improve the aging process, including slowing memory and cognitive decline,” says Amanda Margolin, a registered dietician based in Portland, Oregon. “There have been numerous studies focusing on the benefits of dietary patterns, such as the Mediterranean diet and the MIND diet, which have been shown to improve cognitive health. If we look at the similarities between eating patterns such as these, we see an emphasis on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes and nuts.”

The Experience

There are a number of positive customer reviews on the Prevagen website, but very few reviews posted to third-party websites like the Better Business Bureau and TrustPilot. There are thousands of reviews on Amazon for each Prevagen formulation, and the 30-capsule container of regular strength Prevagen averages a star ranking of four stars. Customer feedback ranges from the capsule being easy to take to preferring a tablet option to the price being too high to take a dose daily. Some also note that they are still waiting to see whether Prevagen makes a difference for their cognitive health.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are side effects of Prevagen?

Side effects of Prevagen are not clearly noted on the product website. Instead, it suggests notifying your doctor if you’re concerned about potential side effects.

Adverse effects of taking apoaequorin are very rare, but research suggests they can include headache, nausea, constipation, edema and hypertension.

What are the three foods that fight memory loss?

A healthy diet and exercise routine are essential facets of healthy aging and cognitive health. Research shows that some foods are particularly beneficial for combating memory loss, including walnuts, vegetables high in antioxidants like leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables, and fermented foods.

How long does it take to see results with Prevagen?

The product website states that taking Prevagen as suggested (one capsule daily) will lead to results in around 90 days.

Prevagen Review: A Word Of Caution (2024)

FAQs

Is there any evidence that Prevagen really works? ›

The bottom line

Prevagen is a dietary supplement that's advertised to help with mild memory loss. However, it doesn't treat or prevent memory-related health conditions, such as Alzheimer's disease. Prevagen's evidence to support its claims is questionable.

What is the downside to taking Prevagen? ›

Adverse effects of apoaequorin are very rare, but research suggests they can include headache, nausea, constipation, edema and hypertension. Prevagen comes in three formulations—regular strength, extra strength and professional strength—and 30-capsule and 60-capsule quantities.

Do pharmacists really recommend Prevagen? ›

Prevagen was named the #1 Pharmacist Recommended Memory Support Brand in 2024. Pharmacy Times, the leading publication for pharmacists in the nation conducted a survey to determine the top recommended brands across several different OTC health categories.

Do doctors recommend taking Prevagen? ›

The U.S. FDA has not evaluated Prevagen for safety and effectiveness and has tried to curb claims that it may help memory. It has taken the stance that "if it seems too good to be true, it probably is." Many experts advise against taking supplements that claim to improve your memory.

What does Mayo Clinic recommend for memory loss? ›

Lifestyle and home remedies

Regular physical exercise has known benefits for heart health. It also may help prevent or slow cognitive decline. A diet low in fat and rich in fruits and vegetables is another heart-healthy choice that also may help protect brain health. Omega-3 fatty acids also are good for the heart.

What does AARP say about Prevagen? ›

The makers of Prevagen are “deceiving millions of aging Americans” with claims that the supplement can treat age-related memory loss, AARP says in a new brief supporting a federal false advertising lawsuit.

What does FDA say about Prevagen? ›

Since Quincy was also still making therapeutic claims in its marketing materials, and had conducted clinical investigations with the ingredient—two things only drug manufacturers are allowed to do—the agency stated that it considered Prevagen not to be a supplement at all, but an unauthorized drug.

What is the number one supplement for memory? ›

Of all the supplements recommended by experts for brain health, omega-3 fatty acids top the list.

What's better than Prevagen for memory? ›

Quick Verdict. Noocube is a much better nootropic than Prevagen. Its 12-component formula is designed to enhance cognitive abilities in all areas. Prevagen uses only one ingredient, with the main purpose of improving memory in older adults.

Can Prevagen affect your kidneys? ›

This medication may cause serious (rarely fatal) kidney problems.

What is the best drug to improve memory? ›

Cholinesterase inhibitors are the first choice of treatment for memory loss. The doctor may also prescribe the single-dose drug combination Namzeric to treat moderate to severe memory loss.

Is vitamin B12 good for memory? ›

Takeaway. Some research suggests that certain vitamins, such as vitamins B12, D, E, and omega-3, might support good brain function, particularly in people living with dementia. However, research has yet to definitively conclude that these or other supplements can directly boost your memory.

What are the negative effects of Prevagen? ›

FDA also claims that the company has not disclosed over a thousand reported adverse reactions to Prevagen including seizures, strokes, and worsening symptoms of multiple sclerosis as well as chest pains, tremors, fainting and curiously, memory impairment and confusion.

Is there any proof that Prevagen works? ›

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which charged Quincy Bioscience with false and deceptive advertising last January, the company study found that Prevagen was no more effective than a placebo at improving any of the nine cognitive skills, including memory, that the company measured.

What is the best memory booster for seniors? ›

Proven Supplements for Memory for Seniors
  • Ashwagandha is both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative. ...
  • Caffeine might improve both short-term and long-term memory, and small studies have supported this. ...
  • Choline helps improve and regulate memory. ...
  • Ginger may improve working memory, making it a potential cognitive enhancer.
Feb 20, 2024

Is there a class action suit against Prevagen? ›

The maker of Prevagen, Quincy Bioscience, LLC (“Quincy”), settled a class action lawsuit in 2020 with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) charging it with deceptive business practices and false advertising related to Prevagen.

Is there a supplement that really helps memory? ›

Choline: Considered an essential nutrient, choline has many functions, particularly the regulation of memory. Choline supplementation appears to improve memory in healthy adults, people with subjective memory complaints, and those with dementia.

What is the number one medicine for memory loss? ›

Cholinesterase inhibitors are the first choice of treatment for memory loss. The doctor may also prescribe the single-dose drug combination Namzeric to treat moderate to severe memory loss.

Is there something better than Prevagen? ›

Noocube is a much better nootropic than Prevagen. Its 12-component formula is designed to enhance cognitive abilities in all areas. Prevagen uses only one ingredient, with the main purpose of improving memory in older adults.

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