Zytiga (Abiraterone Acetate) Copay Assistance Program

Abiraterone copay assistance is outside financial help that can lower what you pay for generic abiraterone acetate or brand Zytiga. Depending on your insurance, that help may come from a manufacturer copay card, a patient assistance program, or a grant from an independent nonprofit foundation.

QuickRx Specialty Pharmacy does the legwork for you. Our patient navigators check your insurance, look for the programs you may qualify for, and apply on your behalf, at no cost to you. Call (917) 830-2525 to get started.

Copay card programs may be available for eligible patients with commercial (private) insurance. Eligible patients may pay $0. Medicare and Medicaid patients generally cannot use manufacturer copay cards because of federal rules, but other options may be available.

QuickRx does not issue copay cards. Our navigators check whether you qualify and apply on your behalf, at no cost to you. Call (917) 830-2525.

Each program sets its own rules. Copay cards are generally for patients with commercial insurance. Patient assistance programs and foundation grants may help patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or covered by Medicare or Medicaid.

Common Eligibility Factors:

• Commercial insurance: copay card programs may lower monthly costs
• Medicare: copay cards cannot be used, but foundation grants may be available
• Uninsured or underinsured: patient assistance programs may help based on income
• Generic abiraterone: may cost less than brand Zytiga under many plans

QuickRx reviews your situation and tells you which programs you may qualify for. Call (917) 830-2525 to speak with a patient navigator.

No. QuickRx never charges for copay assistance services. There are no fees and no obligation.

What QuickRx Does at No Cost:

• Reviews your insurance coverage and looks for programs you may qualify for
• Checks options for both generic abiraterone and brand Zytiga
• Prepares and submits applications on your behalf
• Works with your oncologist’s office on required paperwork
• Helps with renewals and insurance changes

Medicare patients cannot use manufacturer copay cards because of federal rules. Other options may still be available.

Options for Medicare Patients:

• Independent foundation grants: prostate cancer nonprofits may offer help when funds are open
• Patient assistance programs: may help patients who meet income limits
• Generic abiraterone: may sit on a lower cost tier in your Part D plan
• Extra Help (Low-Income Subsidy): may lower drug costs for patients who qualify
• State pharmaceutical assistance programs: vary by state

QuickRx navigators can review your Medicare coverage and look for options at no cost to you. Call (917) 830-2525.

Without insurance or assistance, abiraterone can be expensive, and brand Zytiga usually costs much more than generic abiraterone acetate.

Factors That Affect Abiraterone Cost:

• Brand vs. generic: generic abiraterone acetate typically costs much less than brand Zytiga
• Tablet strength: abiraterone comes in 250 mg and 500 mg tablets
• Insurance coverage: plans cover abiraterone at different copay levels
• Pharmacy pricing: cash prices vary between pharmacies

Call QuickRx at (917) 830-2525 for a free benefits check.

Yes. Generic abiraterone acetate contains the same active ingredient, strength and dosing as brand Zytiga. Generic versions are made by several manufacturers and must meet FDA standards for quality and how the drug works in the body.

Other brand formulations of abiraterone are dosed differently and are not interchangeable with Zytiga or generic abiraterone. Do not switch between products without talking to your oncologist.

Abiraterone acetate (Zytiga) is an antiandrogen medicine used to treat metastatic prostate cancer. It works by blocking CYP17, an enzyme the body needs to make androgens (male hormones).

FDA-Approved Uses:

• Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC): taken with prednisone
• Metastatic high-risk castration-sensitive prostate cancer (mCSPC): taken with prednisone

Patients should also receive a GnRH analog at the same time or have had a bilateral orchiectomy.

The usual dose is 1,000 mg once a day, taken with prednisone. Prednisone is 5 mg twice a day for mCRPC or 5 mg once a day for mCSPC.

Important Administration Notes:

• Take on an empty stomach: at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after food. Taking it with food can raise drug levels up to 10-fold
• Swallow tablets whole with water; do not crush or chew
• Dose changes may be needed for liver problems

Always follow your oncologist’s instructions.

Abiraterone is prescribed with prednisone to lower the risk of side effects caused by how the drug works. Blocking CYP17 can raise mineralocorticoid levels, which can cause high blood pressure, low potassium and fluid retention. Prednisone helps prevent these effects.

Do not stop taking prednisone without talking to your doctor, because stopping suddenly can lead to adrenal insufficiency.

Common side effects include tiredness, swelling, joint pain and hot flashes.

Most Common Side Effects:

• General: fatigue (39%), trouble sleeping (14%)
• Heart and blood vessels: swelling (25% to 27%), high blood pressure (9% to 37%)
• Stomach: constipation (23%), diarrhea (18% to 22%)
• Hormones and metabolism: hot flashes (15% to 22%), low potassium
• Muscles and joints: joint pain, joint swelling, muscle pain
• Breathing: cough (7% to 17%), shortness of breath (12%)

Tell your doctor about any side effects you have.

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of the following.

• Liver problems: dark urine, tiredness, loss of appetite, stomach pain, light-colored stools, vomiting, yellow skin or eyes
• Heart problems: irregular heartbeat, swelling, weight gain, trouble breathing
• High blood pressure: severe headache, dizziness, fainting, vision changes
• Low potassium: confusion, muscle weakness or pain, irregular heartbeat
• Adrenal insufficiency: severe nausea or vomiting, dizziness, weakness, extreme tiredness
• Allergic reactions: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips or throat, trouble breathing

Severe liver injury, including liver failure and death, has been reported rarely. Review all risks with your oncologist.

Yes. Abiraterone has several important drug interactions. Tell your oncologist and pharmacist about every medicine, supplement and herbal product you take.

• Strong CYP3A4 inducers (rifampin, phenytoin, carbamazepine): may lower abiraterone levels
• CYP2D6 substrates (metoprolol, dextromethorphan): abiraterone may raise their levels
• Radium Ra 223: not recommended with abiraterone plus prednisone because of a higher risk of fractures and death
• Spironolactone: may reduce how well abiraterone works
• Thiazolidinediones or repaglinide: may raise the risk of severe low blood sugar

QuickRx pharmacists review drug interactions as part of dispensing. Call (917) 830-2525 with questions.

Regular lab work helps catch side effects early.

• Liver tests (ALT, AST, bilirubin): before starting, every 2 weeks for the first 3 months, then monthly
• Potassium: before starting and at least monthly
• Blood pressure: before starting and at least monthly
• Blood sugar: for patients with diabetes, during and after treatment
• Fluid retention: watch for swelling and sudden weight gain

Some patients should avoid abiraterone or use it with caution.

• Severe liver problems: not recommended for Child-Pugh class C
• Heart disease: close monitoring is needed for heart failure, recent heart attack or irregular heartbeat
• Diabetes: severe low blood sugar has been reported with certain diabetes medicines

Pregnancy Considerations:

• Abiraterone is not for use in females
• Patients whose partners could become pregnant should use effective birth control during treatment and for 3 weeks after the last dose
• Anyone who is pregnant should wear gloves if handling the tablets

Abiraterone is usually continued until the cancer progresses or side effects become too hard to manage. Your oncologist will track your response with PSA levels, imaging and symptom checks. Do not stop or change your dose without talking to your doctor.

If you need help affording ongoing treatment, QuickRx can help with copay assistance renewals each year. Call (917) 830-2525.

Yes. QuickRx Specialty Pharmacy is licensed in all 50 states and ships generic abiraterone acetate nationwide, with free home delivery.

• Nationwide shipping to all 50 states
• Copay assistance help at no cost to you
• Patient navigators experienced in prostate cancer medications
• Prior authorization and appeal support
• URAC- and ACHC-accredited specialty pharmacy

Call (917) 830-2525 or complete the form on this page to get started.