1. < Caregivers: Dementia

Does anyone have experience with Prevagen helping with confusion?

Posted by thereaklenb @thereaklenb, Apr 9, 2024

Hello - my wife is in mid stage dementia and her confusion level has gotten worse lately. It does not appear related to a UTI. A home health care aid has mentioned that Prevagen has helped some of the dementia patients she has worked with. I am very skeptical of this drug given their creepy commercials and the fact that the FDA has not found any scientific basis for the drug to improve memory or any other dementia symptom. I thought it was worth polling this community for real world experiences.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Caregivers: Dementia Support Group.

raebaby | @raebaby | Jul 13, 2024

It turns out that it is Neuriva that contains Phosphatidyl serine. I've been taking phosphatidyl serine for around 10 years now.
I'm 82. My mind is fine other than normal old age problems. It's best to remain curious and to use your brain. My close relative has Alzheimer's and was never curious at all.

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1 reply
origbless007 | @origbless007 | Apr 5 12:03am
In reply to @raebaby "It turns out that it is Neuriva that contains Phosphatidyl serine. I've been taking phosphatidyl serine..." + (show)
@raebaby

It turns out that it is Neuriva that contains Phosphatidyl serine. I've been taking phosphatidyl serine for around 10 years now.
I'm 82. My mind is fine other than normal old age problems. It's best to remain curious and to use your brain. My close relative has Alzheimer's and was never curious at all.

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An 85 year old friend began taking Prevagen. She said her memory was better after 90 days.
Her daughter called her on it and said: Mom - I noticed that before 90 days had passed you were completing sentences better.
My Doctor dismissed Prevagen, but after I told him of my friend he said he was going to try it.
I have heard from several sources that it does take 90 days to begin noticeable improvement.

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1 reply
boppi | @boppi | Apr 6 7:43am
In reply to @origbless007 "An 85 year old friend began taking Prevagen. She said her memory was better after 90..." + (show)
@origbless007

An 85 year old friend began taking Prevagen. She said her memory was better after 90 days.
Her daughter called her on it and said: Mom - I noticed that before 90 days had passed you were completing sentences better.
My Doctor dismissed Prevagen, but after I told him of my friend he said he was going to try it.
I have heard from several sources that it does take 90 days to begin noticeable improvement.

Jump to this post

Prevage’s is an expensive waste of money. It does absolutely nothing! Although it may help in your imagination of it working. I have found “Youthful Brain” which is chucked full of Vitamin B12 is helpful.

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wctdoc1943 | @wctdoc1943 | Apr 6 11:24am

I am a physician (internal medicine/geriatrics) and a pharmacist. Prevagen is not FDA approved and there is zero evidence that it helps memory. Claims that it is "pharmacist recommended" are worthless and the ads give nothing more than anecdotal reports (worthless). I would also be the first to tell you that the approved (prescription only) drugs are not very effective either, but they are FDA approved, based on scientific studies that show some benefit. Our hope is that new, better and safer treatments come online sooner than later. Save your money on Prevagen and similar unproven OTC products. There is a huge profit motive to promote and sell them. Full disclosure, I am long retired from both professions. My wife is cognitively impaired and is on none of these drugs or supplements.

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1 reply
thereaklenb | @thereaklenb | Apr 6 10:14pm
In reply to @wctdoc1943 "I am a physician (internal medicine/geriatrics) and a pharmacist. Prevagen is not FDA approved and there..." + (show)
@wctdoc1943

I am a physician (internal medicine/geriatrics) and a pharmacist. Prevagen is not FDA approved and there is zero evidence that it helps memory. Claims that it is "pharmacist recommended" are worthless and the ads give nothing more than anecdotal reports (worthless). I would also be the first to tell you that the approved (prescription only) drugs are not very effective either, but they are FDA approved, based on scientific studies that show some benefit. Our hope is that new, better and safer treatments come online sooner than later. Save your money on Prevagen and similar unproven OTC products. There is a huge profit motive to promote and sell them. Full disclosure, I am long retired from both professions. My wife is cognitively impaired and is on none of these drugs or supplements.

Jump to this post

Thanks for the insights. I started this thread to get feedback from the forum and it has been beneficial. I am sure there are folks who benefit from the drug; possibly the placebo effect but the fact that it is not recommended for those with dementia was enough to steer clear -- the commercials are very creepy.

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sillyblone | @sillyblone | 1 day ago

I totally agree. These drugs that sell and tell you this works and that works..Nine times out of Ten are a farce. I think they give people false hope. I especially think that speaking with our own physicians can give you the pros and cons . I myself am not wasting my ǰmoney on a promise....blah, blah , blah

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