Apoaequorin

ByLaura Shane-McWhorter, PharmD, University of Utah College of Pharmacy
Reviewed/Revised Mar 2024
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION

Apoaequorin is derived from jellyfish called Aequorea victoria. A laboratory-made version of apoaequorin is the main ingredient in the over-the-counter dietary supplement called Prevagen.

(See also Overview of Dietary Supplements.)

Claims for Apoaequorin

Apoaequorin is said to improve mild age-related memory loss.

Evidence for Apoaequorin

There are no high-quality studies demonstrating that apoaequorin is effective for improving memory loss or for treating any health condition.

In 2017, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and New York State Attorney General charged the marketers of the dietary supplement Prevagen with making false and unsubstantiated claims (see FTC press release, January 9, 2017).

Side Effects of Apoaequorin

Side effects of apoaequorin may include headache, dizziness, nausea, memory problems, difficulty sleeping, and anxiety. Overall, the safety of apoaequorin is not known.

Drug Interactions with Apoaequorin

The risk for serious drug interactions with apoaequorin is not known.

Recommendations for Apoaequorin

No beneficial health effects of apoaequorin, including improving memory, have been confirmed in high-quality studies in people.

Use of apoaequorin is not recommended because there are no confirmed benefits to outweigh the possibility of negative side effects.

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