CAREGIVER’S GUIDE TO NUBEQA
Support for caregivers exploring NUBEQA
From a diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer through starting your loved one on NUBEQA, use this guide to help you and your loved one navigate this journey.
I’m Tony Romo—
former professional quarterback.
My most important play was helping my dad, Ramiro, get prepared to take on prostate cancer. I saw firsthand how challenging—and rewarding—it can be helping to care for a loved one facing cancer. That’s why I worked together with other caregivers and with NUBEQA to create this guide to help coach you through this journey.
I hope this guide helps you make a game plan with your loved one and his health care team. Your voice is powerful in advocating for shared treatment goals, so let's get started.
Tony Romo does not have prostate cancer and is not a NUBEQA patient. Ramiro is not a NUBEQA patient.
Tony Romo does not have prostate cancer and is not a NUBEQA patient. Ramiro is not a NUBEQA patient.
My most important play was helping my dad, Ramiro, get prepared to take on prostate cancer. I saw firsthand how challenging—and rewarding—it can be helping to care for a loved one facing cancer. That’s why I worked together with other caregivers and with NUBEQA to create this guide to help coach you through this journey.
I hope this guide helps you make a game plan with your loved one and his health care team. Your voice is powerful in advocating for shared treatment goals, so let's get started.
Check out the Guide
Click on any topic below to learn more.
Being a Caregiver
At diagnosis, open up the conversation, set a shared goal, and start a game plan with your loved one and with his healthcare team.
About NUBEQA
Discover and discuss an advanced prostate cancer treatment with your loved one.
Doctor Discussions
Be your loved one's voice and ally during discussions.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR ROLE AS A CAREGIVER
Your role as caregiver is extremely important
Caregivers play a vital role in their loved one’s treatment journey. When your loved one has just been diagnosed, you may both feel overwhelmed. That’s why we are here to help support you as a team. From the moment of diagnosis through every decision ahead, your questions, presence, and preparation may bring both support and comfort to your loved one.
Swipe through below to see how caregivers shape their loved ones’ journeys.
“My mom has been an incredible pillar of strength for our family, especially for my dad after his prostate cancer diagnosis. Watching her has been inspiring.”
—Tony Romo, former professional quarterback
Tony Romo does not have prostate cancer and is not a NUBEQA patient. Ramiro is not a NUBEQA patient.
“It’s not YOU have prostate cancer—WE have prostate cancer and are going to face it together.”
—Jan, caregiver to husband Dick
“Whether it is helping him do his research or preparing questions for his doctor, be there for your partner, because it’s about us being a team.”
—Tiffany, caregiver to husband Ryan
“It's not about knowing everything—it's about helping him move forward, like a coach. Be present, validate his feelings, and keep asking: ‘What can we do?’”
—Tim, caregiver to husband Randy
Being a caregiver means:
Working as a team and making decisions together
Researching, questioning, and listening
Providing emotional support every step of the way
Setting shared goals
An open and honest conversation with your loved one about what matters most to both of you will help you make informed decisions moving forward.
Find the right time and place for this conversation when the energy feels good for you both—maybe a morning coffee, an evening walk, or someplace special to talk. What matters is creating space to listen to each other and to truly connect.
“When supporting my dad, who faced prostate cancer, we had a heart-to-heart conversation as a family—this really helped us make the right game plan.”
–Tony Romo, former professional quarterback
Tony Romo does not have prostate cancer and is not a NUBEQA patient. Ramiro is not a NUBEQA patient.
Here is how you make a shared GOAL:
Tap each letter below.
Goals for treatment:
What does he want out of treatment?
What do you want out of treatment?
What do you both hope to see happen?
What is our approach to facing prostate cancer together?
“We’ll do whatever we need to do to advocate for ourselves.”
—Ruth and Jeff, NUBEQA caregiver and patient, on their approach
Open up the conversation about what matters most.
It’s important for him to know he doesn’t have to face this alone. Ask him what is most important to him and what is most important to maintain during treatment. For example,
Exercising
Movie night
Date night
Ask: “What support do we need?”
Diagnosis can feel overwhelming, especially for the patient. Remaining positive can be very difficult. As a caregiver, make sure to find the opportunity to give him what he needs. What can you do?
Important reminders for caregivers
Mental health
Don’t hesitate to seek mental health support for you and for your loved one.
Don’t forget yourself
Caregivers need support, too. Talking with someone you trust can offer emotional relief and help you recharge.
Leave with a game plan.
Discuss what you need to do before the next doctor appointment. This may be:
Doing your research on the disease
Learning about treatment options
Assessing if NUBEQA could be an option
Spend some time finding the right oncologist or urologist. You can also talk to friends who may have had similar experiences. That way, you will be prepared to share what’s most important to both of you and advocate for the best care to help you meet your shared goal.
Finding caregiver support
It may be helpful to speak with others who are dealing with the same things you are. Don’t be afraid to lean on family members, friends, and local groups. Opening up to them can make a real difference. Finding support groups can also be helpful. Research has shown that you’re not alone in looking for help!
75%
of caregivers said that they believe a support group would make caregiving easier,and more than half of them have looked for a caregiver group or considered joining one.
Additional resources made specifically for caregivers:
CSC provides relevant and highly personalized support when and where it is needed most
Find access to support groups and tips for caregivers of patients with prostate cancer specifically
Sign up for the ZERO Prostate Cancer support retreat or find support groups for prostate cancer caregivers
LIFE CHANGES
WHAT YOU LOVE DOESN’T HAVE TO
NUBEQA 101
NUBEQA is a prescription medicine that’s approved to treat certain types of advanced prostate cancer.
NUBEQA is a pill.
NUBEQA may be used with some other medications.
NUBEQA offers options for a personalized treatment decision in prostate cancer that has spread (metastatic) and responds to androgen deprivation therapy, also known as ADT,* or prostate cancer that has not spread (non-metastatic) that does not respond to ADT.
You, your loved one, and his doctor can determine if taking NUBEQA with or without chemotherapy† may be right for him.
NUBEQA may be used with some other medications.
*ADT refers to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone.
†Chemotherapy=docetaxel.
Watch this video to find out how NUBEQA works
Explore data for NUBEQA
Select metastatic or non-metastatic below to see how NUBEQA may work for your loved one.
NUBEQA offers options for a personalized treatment decision in prostate cancer that has spread (metastatic) and responds to ADT*
NUBEQA delivered proven results in two different clinical studies. You, your loved one, and his doctor can determine if taking NUBEQA with or without chemotherapy† may be right for your loved one.
At the time of analysis, 29% (128 out of 446) of men taking NUBEQA + ADT had cancer worsening via scans or were no longer living compared to 42% (94 out of 223) of men taking ADT alone.
At the time of analysis, 35% (229 out of 651) of men taking NUBEQA + ADT + chemotherapy were no longer living compared to 46% (304 out of 654) of men taking ADT + chemotherapy.
*ADT refers to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone.
†Chemotherapy=docetaxel.
‡rPFS is measured by the cancer worsening via scans or the participant no longer living.
§Median is the middle value in a set of numbers, not the average.
¶Docetaxel is an intravenous (IV) chemotherapy infusion that may be used in combination with NUBEQA. Docetaxel 75 mg/m2 for 21 days for 6 cycles. Note 21 days is one cycle.
Learn more about how NUBEQA did in clinical trials
NUBEQA was studied in men with prostate cancer that has not spread (non-metastatic) and does not respond to ADT*
Metastasis-free survival was evaluated in 955 men taking NUBEQA + ADT, compared to 554 men taking ADT alone
NUBEQA is a treatment option that helped keep cancer from spreading.
At the time of analysis, 23% (221 out of 955) of men taking NUBEQA + ADT had cancer spreading or were no longer living compared to 39% (216 out of 554) of men taking ADT alone.
In the same study, NUBEQA helped men live longer
At the time of analysis, 15% (148 out of 955) of men taking NUBEQA + ADT were no longer living compared to 19% (106 out of 554) of men taking ADT alone.
*ADT refers to a medical or surgical treatment that lowers testosterone.
Learn more about how NUBEQA did in clinical trials
Ready to talk about NUBEQA with your loved one?
There's a lot to weigh when choosing a therapy for advanced prostate cancer. You've done your homework—if you believe NUBEQA may be the right fit, here's how to bring it up in a way that opens the conversation with your loved one to prepare to have a discussion with his doctor.
Tap on each letter below.
Practice empathy
Continue to support him emotionally. Recognize and validate his feelings and affirm you're in this together. Make sure to orient him on finding the next steps together.
Reason
Share what you learned about NUBEQA and have a discussion on why you think it may be a good choice for you and your loved one to bring up with his doctor.
Experience with NUBEQA
Watch this video of Tony Romo and his dad, Ramiro, who faced prostate cancer himself. Together, they shine a light on the meaningful moments shared by patients taking NUBEQA and their loved ones.
Tony Romo does not have prostate cancer and is not a NUBEQA patient. Ramiro is not a NUBEQA patient.
Watch NUBEQA Highlights Real with Tony Romo
Plan
Above all, make sure you’re both on the same page and make a list of questions to discuss with his doctor, since this is about planning together.
Prepare for the discussion with his doctor.
Loved one uncertain about treatment?
Share these stories from men taking NUBEQA and their caregivers.
AS A CAREGIVER,
YOUR VOICE HAS POWER
The diagnosis may be hard to hear
Men might shut down and stop listening or become cancer-deaf when they hear their diagnosis, so it's important to remind them that they are not alone. As another set of ears and another voice in the room, you can help make sure you’re looking out for your loved one.
Your voice is important, so remember—speak up!
Remind your loved one to ask questions and to be candid about their experience.
“During the discussion with their doctors, it’s so important to actively participate, provide support, and advocate for their needs."
—Tony Romo, former professional quarterback
Tony Romo does not have prostate cancer and is not a NUBEQA patient. Ramiro is not a NUBEQA patient.
Here are 3 key things to do to prepare for the doctor discussion:
Be an informed advocate
Knowledge is power as a caregiver.
“As a family, we took an active role in every decision. We asked his oncologist questions about different treatment options and, along with his doctor, ultimately decided that NUBEQA was the right choice for him.”
—Diana, caregiver to her husband Rudi
Meet his full care-support team
Oncologists or urologists help you navigate through the diagnosis and treatment options.
Share your goals, concerns, and questions.
Nurse navigators and physician assistants are invaluable allies.
They’re there to answer questions and support you and your loved one through the entire process.
There are other professionals (like a mental health counselor, office admins, etc.) who are there to support you and your loved one throughout your journey. Make sure to keep an organized list of who they are so you know who to go to for any specific questions.
Align on the plan with your loved one
How will you team up to speak up together? Ask your loved one, how can you best support them during the visit?
“I can't tell you how important it was to have my wife by my side to come to the appointments, help me express my concerns, and ask questions that I didn't even think of.”
—Dr. Tom Green, urologist and a NUBEQA patient
Remember, you're a powerful force in your loved one's journey with prostate cancer.
When you're ready to ask about NUBEQA
You and your loved one are in this together. You're his best ally during treatment discussions with his doctor.
"Ryan's wife, Tiffany, knew his history and the importance of diagnosis, and she came with a phenomenal list of questions, allowing us to jump into high-level treatment discussion. Coming prepared with your loved one eases their anxiety and allows the oncologist to meet you at that high level.”
—Dr. Klaassen, Prostate Cancer Oncologist
Here's how you can make these conversations more successful:
Ask and echo: Repeat things back
- Let the doctor know you’re coming in with questions
- Repeat back what you’ve heard to confirm you understood correctly
- Don’t hesitate to ask more than once if you need clarity
- If the doctor isn't responsive, remember that you don't have to settle
- You can always look for another provider who helps you and your loved one feel more comfortable
- Don't forget that it's okay to get a second opinion
- Stay organized, keep records, and take notes
- Be very present, and listen
- It may be helpful to keep a notebook or binder to take to every appointment
What side effects should I look out for? What should I do when they happen?
You need to understand what your loved one may experience so you can make decisions together and support him through it. It's important to be aware of side effects that may happen that need to be shared with your loved one's doctor right away.
Is your loved one already on a prostate cancer treatment?
Make sure to communicate any side effects or topics you are concerned about.
Remember, you play a critical role in raising the flags:
- Caregivers are 4x more likely to talk about side effects than their loved ones.
Medical history discussions
- Ask if NUBEQA fits with other medications he is taking
- Share all his medical conditions and any preexisting conditions
TIP: Bring medications with you to the doctor visit, take photos of the labels, or ask your pharmacy to print a list for you.
Support and Resources
Bring this appointment preparation guide to your loved one's next doctor visit.
Raise your voice—use our guide to prepare and be a powerful advocate for your loved ones.
Ask about the NUBEQA 1-month free trial program.*
If your loved one has never tried NUBEQA, he may qualify for the NUBEQA Free Trial Program (with the first month free). Sign an enrollment form with your doctor, and Access Services by Bayer™ will do the rest!
Once nubeqa
is prescribed—
Follow these steps
to get started
Getting Started on NUBEQA
Navigating insurance approvals and therapy delivery can take some time, and that's normal. Make sure you understand what to expect, follow up with his care team as needed, and remember—we're here to support you.
He May Be Eligible to Save on NUBEQA
Your loved one may be eligible to save on NUBEQA no matter their insurance coverage. Select his coverage type to see your options and what to expect.
How to navigate the prior authorization process
Before getting the medication, his doctor's office will begin the prior authorization process. This means his insurance plan needs to approve NUBEQA before considering paying for it.
The prior authorization process usually takes less than a day, but it sometimes may take a week or longer. If you haven't heard back within 1 week, give his doctor’s office a call or, if they have an online portal, send them a message to check on the status.
If the prior authorization is denied, make sure to ask the doctor’s staff to appeal the decision.
Once the prior authorization is approved, there are 2 options:
Option 1: Enroll in the $0 Co-pay Program
Eligible patients may pay as little as $0*
No income requirements. Terms and conditions apply.
Option 2: Pay the co-pay per his insurance
The cost of his co-pay may vary depending on his insurance policy. The average out-of-pocket cost of NUBEQA for men with commercial insurance is $112/month.
*Patients who are enrolled in any type of government insurance or reimbursement programs are not eligible. As a condition precedent of the co-payment support provided under this program, eg, co-pay refunds, participating patients and pharmacies are obligated to inform insurance companies and third-party payers of any benefits they receive and the value of this program, and may not participate if this program is prohibited by or conflicts with their private insurance policy, as required by contract or otherwise. Void where prohibited by law, taxed, or restricted. Patients enrolled in the Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation are not eligible. Bayer may determine eligibility, monitor participation, equitably distribute product and modify or discontinue any aspect of the NUBEQA $0 Co-Pay Program at any time, including but not limited to this commercial co-pay assistance program.
NUBEQA is covered for 100% of patients across Medicare Part D plans nationwide†
Remember that in 2026, his annual out-of-pocket costs are capped at $2,100 for all medicines throughout the year under Medicare Part D.
How to navigate the prior authorization process
Before getting the medication, his doctor's office will begin the prior authorization process. This means his insurance plan needs to approve NUBEQA before considering paying for it.
The prior authorization process usually takes less than a day, but it sometimes may take a week or longer. If you haven't heard back within 1 week, give his doctor’s office a call or, if they have an online portal, send them a message to check on the status.
If the prior authorization is denied, make sure to ask the doctor’s staff to appeal the decision.
Once the prior authorization is approved, there are 3 options:
Option 1: Pay for the cost of medication upfront
The cost of his co-pay may vary depending on his insurance policy. The average out-of-pocket cost of NUBEQA for men on Medicare is $175/month.
Option 2: Pay nothing upfront and spread the cost over the year
Medicare’s Prescription Payment Plan is an optional program to help you manage out-of-pocket costs. You will have the option to pay monthly installments to his plan toward the $2,100 out-of-pocket cap.
You can opt in during Medicare Open Enrollment or any time in 2026. Opting in early is recommended. Make sure to call his insurance company to enroll in this program.
Option 3: Government-funded programs
If out-of-pocket costs are a concern, your loved one may qualify for government-funded assistance programs, like Medicare Part D Extra Help. Find out more at medicare.gov/basics
†As of November 2024.
If your loved one doesn’t have insurance, Bayer may be there to help.
The Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation is a charitable organization that can help eligible patients get Bayer prescription medicine at no cost.
Please contact the program at 1-866-228-7723 Monday–Friday 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (ET) or visit the foundation website at www.patientassistance.
New to NUBEQA?
Patients who are NEW to NUBEQA can receive their first month of NUBEQA for FREE
Find out how to enrollReceiving NUBEQA
Once his prescription is processed, the in-office or specialty pharmacy will fill his prescription and call you to schedule delivery of his medication.
TIP: Ask his nurse navigator for the contact information of the pharmacy and save their phone number. They may call you to schedule pick-up or delivery.
If his doctor’s office has a pharmacy, he may receive NUBEQA directly from the doctor's office.
Access Services by Bayer™
A free support program for people prescribed NUBEQA.
His Case Manager can:
- Identify insurance coverage and out-of-pocket costs
- Help with the prior authorization (PA) and appeal process if the PA is denied
- Help your loved one receive a free 1-month supply of NUBEQA (new patients only)*
- Connect to financial support:
- The NUBEQA $0 Co-pay Program (for those commercially insured)*
- The Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation
- Charitable foundations
*Co-pay assistance cannot be offered to Medicare or Medicaid patients and those treated at the Veterans Affairs (VA). Samples and the 1-Month Free Trial program cannot be used in the Veterans Affairs (VA).
Sign up for Access Services by Bayer in his doctor’s office or call 1-800-288-8374 (Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM–8:00 PM EST)
We know you have a lot of important steps to take—we hope that this resource helps you every step of the way.
And don't forget, take care of yourself too.
