FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
As a patient with prostate cancer or caregiver, you may have questions about NUBEQA. Find answers to some common questions below.
ABOUT NUBEQA
NUBEQA is a prescription medicine used to treat adults with prostate cancer:
- that has spread to other parts of the body and responds to medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone (metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, or mHSPC), in combination with chemotherapy (docetaxel)
OR
- that has not spread to other parts of the body and no longer responds to medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone (non-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, or nmCRPC)
It is not known if NUBEQA is safe and effective in women or children.
NUBEQA helps delay the growth of prostate cancer cells by blocking testosterone (a type of androgen hormone) from attaching to a molecule called an androgen receptor.
NUBEQA is not chemotherapy. NUBEQA is an AR blocker, which means it attaches to androgen receptors inside cancer cells and blocks testosterone from attaching. By being designed to stop testosterone attaching, NUBEQA may help delay cancer cells from growing.
While NUBEQA is not chemotherapy, if you have metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer, your doctor may consider using NUBEQA in combination with docetaxel (chemotherapy) + hormone therapy. If you have non-metastatic castration resistant prostate cancer, your doctor may consider NUBEQA + hormone therapy alone, without docetaxel (chemotherapy).
Talk to your doctor to learn more about your treatment options and see if NUBEQA may be right for you.
Prostate cancer cells contain special proteins called androgen receptors (ARs). When testosterone attaches to ARs, it can trigger processes that cause prostate cancer cells to grow.
NUBEQA is an AR blocker, which means it attaches to androgen receptors inside cancer cells and blocks testosterone from attaching. By being designed to stop testosterone attaching, NUBEQA may help delay cancer cells from growing.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS WITH NUBEQA
NUBEQA may cause serious side effects, including heart disease and seizure. Your healthcare provider will monitor you for signs and symptoms of heart problems during your treatment with NUBEQA. Call your healthcare provider or get medical help right away if you get chest pain or discomfort at rest or with activity, or shortness of breath during your treatment with NUBEQA or if you have loss of consciousness or seizure.
The most common side effects of NUBEQA in people with nmCRPC:
- increase in liver function tests
- decreased white blood cells (neutropenia)
- feeling more tired than usual
- arm, leg, hand, or foot pain
- rash
The most common side effects of NUBEQA when used in combination with docetaxal in people with mHSPC include:
- constipation
- rash
- decreased appetite
- bleeding
- weight gain
- high blood pressure
- decreased red blood cells (anemia)
- high blood sugar levels
- decreased white blood cells (neutropenia)
- increase in liver function tests
- low blood calcium levels
These are not all the possible side effects of NUBEQA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
TAKING NUBEQA
If you miss a dose of NUBEQA, take your prescribed dose as soon as you remember before the next scheduled dose. Do not take 2 doses together to make up for a missed dose. If you take more NUBEQA than prescribed, call your healthcare provider right away.
Your doctor will determine how long you should stay on NUBEQA depending on a variety of factors. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about your personal treatment plan.
NUBEQA SUPPORT
The average out-of-pocket cost of NUBEQA for men with Medicare coverage is $347/month, with most men paying less than a $50 Co-Pay per month. The average out-of-pocket cost for NUBEQA for men with commercial insurance coverage is $193/month and can be as low as $0 for patients enrolled in the NUBEQA $0 Co-Pay Program (terms and conditions apply).
Access Services by Bayer is here to help you understand your options, even if you don't have insurance. If you have commercial insurance coverage, you can enroll in the NUBEQA $0 Co-Pay Program (terms and conditions apply). If you have Medicare or Medicaid, you may qualify for help to pay for out-of-pocket costs for NUBEQA.
Always remember that you are not your disease and know you are not alone. There are many organizations supporting men, family members, and caregivers impacted by prostate cancer. There are resources and support groups available to you. Don't be afraid to take advantage of them.
Make sure to show your caregiver how thankful you are by reminding them to also take care of themselves. Resources and support groups are available to help your caregiver as they go on this journey with you. Encourage your caregiver to take advantage of these resources and to speak up when they need help.
TALKING TO YOUR DOCTOR
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood tests. Your doctor may order this blood test as an early form of detection. A higher PSA level is related to a higher chance prostate cancer, among other things. However, no level is definitive, and a high PSA may require further testing.
After your diagnosis, it's normal to feel overwhelmed and lost in all the new information you've just been given. Your doctor is there to help. If you're unsure what questions to ask, use our Doctor Discussion Guide to help you navigate these conversations with your doctor.
