Which medication is commonly prescribed for the management of Alzheimer's disease?

Donepezil is widely prescribed for the management of Alzheimer's disease due to its mechanism of action, which involves the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down acetylcholine in the synaptic cleft, and by inhibiting it, Donepezil increases levels of acetylcholine, which is essential for memory and learning. Enhancing cholinergic transmission has demonstrated efficacy in improving cognitive function and reducing symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

The other medications listed have different primary uses; for instance, Rivastigmine is also an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and is comparable to Donepezil in its application for Alzheimer's, but Donepezil is more commonly prescribed and has a robust body of evidence supporting its use. Fluoxetine is primarily an antidepressant, used for major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders, and Clonazepam is a benzodiazepine typically prescribed for anxiety and seizure disorders. Neither of them addresses the underlying cholinergic deficits associated with Alzheimer's disease.