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BlueChew is a monthly subscription-based service that provides discreet chewable versions of sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil — all commonly prescribed ED medications.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the consistent inability to maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
It’s one of the most common sexual dysfunctions that people with penises around the world experience. A
With BlueChew, ED tablets arrive by mail in a predetermined quantity and don’t require an in-person visit to a doctor or pharmacy.
Read on to learn how BlueChew’s subscription service works, some pros and cons to keep in mind, and how BlueChew compares in price with other ED medications.
A note on language
At Healthline, we respect and acknowledge an individual’s sex, gender, and sexual orientation. Throughout this article, we are using the term ‘men’ and ‘male’ as the sex assigned at birth as most studies we source use these terms. However, this article pertains to anyone who has a penis.
BlueChew is an online subscription service that delivers ED medication within the United States.
According to the BlueChew website, the company is designed for men who:
- can’t tolerate commercially available pills
- don’t want to visit a doctor in person
- want to have more confidence in bed
- have a hard time swallowing pills
When you sign up for the subscription, you’re connected to a licensed medical professional who provides a digital consultation to learn more about your symptoms and medical history.
If ED treatment is approved by that medical professional, a prescription will be written for one of the medications that BlueChew offers.
You can choose from four monthly subscription plans ranging in price from $20 to $120. You also have three medication options — sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil — which come to you in the form of a chewable tablet.
Each month, BlueChew ships ED medication right to your door in the quantity you select. You can choose between four and 34 pills per month.
BlueChew sells chewable tablets of sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil.
| Generic name | Brand names |
| Sildenafil | Viagra, Revatio |
| Tadalafil | Cialis, Adcirca |
| Vardenafil | Levitra, Staxyn |
Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra as well as the active ingredients used in them are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED. However, the chewable tablets and the dose strengths offered through BlueChew haven’t been separately approved by the FDA for ED treatment.
Here’s some more information about these ingredients:
- Sildenafil: BlueChew sells sildenafil in 30- or 45-mg tablets. It usually works in 30 to 60 minutes but can be taken up to 4 hours before sexual activity. It wears off in 4 to 6 hours.
- Tadalafil: BlueChew sells tadalafil in 6- or 9-mg tablets. It usually works in about 30 to 60 minutes, but it’s recommended that you take it daily to keep it in your system. It can be taken 24 hours or longer before sexual activity. It wears off in 24 to 36 hours.
- Vardenafil: BlueChew sells vardenafil in 8-mg tablets. It usually starts working in 30 to 60 minutes and can be taken right before you have sex. After using it, wait about 24 hours before taking another dose.
Monthly subscription rates
BlueChew offers monthly subscriptions based on your needs. There are four different plans, and the prices don’t include shipping and tax:
- Active: This plan includes either six tablets of sildenafil (30 mg), four tablets of tadalafil (6 mg), or four tablets of vardenafil (8 mg) for $20. If you want to up the dose, you can opt for 45 mg of sildenafil or 9 mg of tadalafil for $30 per month.
- Busy: It includes either 10 tablets of sildenafil (30 mg) or seven tablets of tadalafil (6 mg) for $30, or eight tablets of vardenafil for $35. You can increase your dose of sildenafil or tadalafil for $40 per month.
- Popular: This plan includes either 17 tablets of sildenafil (30 mg) or 14 tablets of tadalafil (6 mg) for $50, or 15 tablets of vardenafil for $65. You can increase your dose for $65 per month.
- Pro: This plan starts at $90 monthly. It includes either 34 sildenafil tablets (30 mg), 28 tadalafil tablets (6 mg), or 30 vardenafil tablets (8 mg). If you want to up the dose, you’ll pay $120 per month for 45-mg tablets of sildenafil or 9-mg tablets of tadalafil. Vardenafil is available for a flat rate of $120 per month.
BlueChew is a prescription-based business, so you can’t return your medications or get a refund.
BlueChew instead encourages customers to let the BlueChew medical team know if your current subscription isn’t working. They can review your information and see whether another treatment may work.
Cost comparison
BlueChew subscriptions are relatively affordable compared with other ED medication brands.
A
Generic sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil are often sold 50% to 80% cheaper than the brand-name versions. Ten tablets of generic sildenafil at 100 mg is available for $6.25*. The price* of 10 pills of generic tadalafil at 100 mg for $7.58, while vardenafil goes for $93.95 for 10 tablets of 100 mg.
*All prices are accurate as of March 2023.
Insurance coverage for ED medications
Most insurance plans, including Medicare, don’t usually cover the cost of ED medications. Some Medicare Part C and Part D plans may cover the cost of some versions of generic ED medications.
Pros
- It comes in chewable tablet form.
- There’s no need for an in-person doctor visit.
- The medication arrives by mail in discreet packaging.
- It’s cheaper than brand-name ED medications.
- It’s made in the United States.
Cons
- The chewable tablets and dose strengths aren’t FDA approved (but active ingredients are FDA approved).
- You need to pay online.
- It’s not available outside the United States.
- It’s not available in North Dakota, South Dakota, and Puerto Rico.
BlueChew is best for people 18 years and older who want longer-lasting or stronger erections and have received a diagnosis of ED by a licensed medical professional.
The service may be especially beneficial if you would rather not go to an in-person doctor’s visit to get a prescription for ED medication or are having a hard time swallowing pills.
BlueChew sells three types of ED medications: sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil. These medications have comparable levels of effectiveness and safety for treating ED.
But a
Researchers cited that men who took tadalafil didn’t feel as much pressure, urgency, or needs to plan before sexual activity as those who took sildenafil.
A relatively small 2016 study* found that vardenafil was successful in raising testosterone levels in 26 men with type 2 diabetes and increasing levels of nitric oxide that are critical in causing erections.
*Note: The doses in these studies are FDA-approved doses, not the dose strengths offered by BlueChew.
BlueChew vs. Viagra
Sildenafil is the active ingredient found in Viagra. Sildenafil has been FDA approved since 2016 to be sold under its generic name. While BlueChew’s chewable ED treatment is not independently FDA approved, it contains the same active ingredient as Viagra.
BlueChew’s sildenafil subscription comes in 30- and 45-mg tablets. Viagra comes in three doses: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.
The price for a BlueChew sildenafil subscription ranges from $20 to $120 per month — about $2.60 to $5 per pill depending on which plan and dose you choose. Viagra costs around $70 per pill. Neither are usually covered by insurance. On the market, generic sildenafil goes for $6.25, and Viagra is generally $8.55.
Another difference is that Viagra is a tablet that you have to swallow, while sildenafil from BlueChew is chewable.
BlueChew comes in chewable tablets that you can take before sexual activity. All of the medications that BlueChew offers fall into a category of drugs called phosphodiesterase (PDE-5) inhibitors.
PDE-5 is an enzyme found in the smooth muscles of the penis that causes blood vessels to constrict. PDE-5 inhibitors block this enzyme from working and cause vasodilation. This means that they relax your blood vessels.
These medications make it easier to get an erection since you have increased blood flow to your penis. But they don’t cause an erection unless you’re sexually aroused.
Sildenafil is best for planned sexual activity. It works within an hour of taking it and lasts for 4 to 6 hours.
Tadalafil is intended for more spontaneous sexual activity. It also takes up to an hour to fully get into the system, but it lasts 24 to 36 hours. This can depend on the user’s age, weight, and any medical conditions.
It’s recommended that you take tadalafil daily so it remains in your system. Doing so would ensure you don’t have to wait for a specified amount of time before engaging in sexual activity.
Vardenafil can be taken about an hour before sex and lasts for about 5 to 7 hours. It may start working within about 10 minutes of taking it, but you can only take it once every 24 hours.
The primary active ingredients in BlueChew — sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil — are FDA approved for treating ED.
The tablets are made by compounding the active ingredients into a chewable tablet form. This tablet, nor the doses BlueChew offers, are FDA approved. BlueChew also doesn’t provide any information on why the doses for each pill were selected and how effective they are.
PDE-5 inhibitors lower your blood pressure throughout your body. PDE-5 inhibitors are most commonly prescribed for those who have ED caused by poor blood flow to the penis.
They can be dangerous if you have certain underlying health conditions. Avoid PDE-5 inhibitors if you’ve had:
- stroke
- heart attack
- unstable angina (chest pain)
Before taking medication for ED
Don’t take these medications if you’ve had a stroke, heart attack, or unstable angina. Also, tell a doctor if you take:
- medications containing nitrates
- riociguat (Adempas)
- herbal supplements
- substances like cannabis, cocaine, or heroin or misuse prescription drugs like Xanax
Potential side effects of sildenafil
Sildenafil may cause side effects in some people. But most people experience no side effects or only minor ones.
| Common side effects | Rare, more serious side effects |
| headaches | chest pain or shortness of breath |
| upset stomach (nausea or indigestion) | prolonged and painful erections |
| flushed face (reddening or warming of the face) | vision problems (blurred or color-tinged vision, or sudden vision loss in one or both eyes) |
| trouble sleeping | hearing problems (sudden hearing loss, ringing in your ears, or dizziness) |
| fever | low blood pressure (symptoms may include dizziness, confusion, and fainting) |
| sore throat | serious skin reactions (may include peeling and swelling of the skin and blistering of the mouth, genitals, and around the eyes) |
| runny nose | allergic reaction |
Potential side effects of tadalafil
Tadalafil may cause side effects in some people, but serious side effects are rare.
| Common side effects | Rare, more serious side effects |
| headaches | chest pain |
| nausea | an erection lasting more than 4 hours |
| flushed face | problems with eyesight or hearing |
| indigestion | hives |
| stuffy nose | swollen face |
| muscle aches | swelling around the eyes |
| seizure | |
| allergic reaction |
Potential side effects of vardenafil
Like other PDE-5 inhibitors, vardenafil can also cause some side effects.
| Common side effects | Rare, more serious side effects |
| dizziness | vision loss |
| flushing | amnesia |
| headache | back pain |
| mild low blood pressure | bone pain |
| runny or stuffy nose | muscle pain |
| indigestion | chest pain |
| hearing loss | |
| allergic reaction | |
| irregular heartbeat | |
| heart palpitation | |
| severe low blood pressure | |
| tinnitus |
Stop taking medication for ED if you notice any concerning symptoms
Not all potential side effects for sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil are included here.
If you notice any concerning or abnormal symptoms, stop taking the medication right away and talk with a doctor.
BlueChew has an A+ Better Business Bureau accreditation. They currently have six customer complaints regarding customer service and refunds.
On TrustPilot, they’re rated 3.1 out of 5 stars with 14 reviews. Some reviewers claim the product didn’t work for them, while one reviewer mentioned the dose was a lot lower than a standard prescription, “making the effective dose more expensive, but still cheaper than name brand drugs.”
No lawsuits have been filed against BlueChew, nor have there been any recalls.
Privacy
BlueChew only uses your personal and medical information to assess your health needs, prescribe you medication as needed, and process your payments. This may include sharing this information with pharmacies to fill out your prescriptions as well as third-party vendors who handle payments or deliveries through the BlueChew site.
BlueChew deliveries also come in discreet packaging that isn’t labeled with any identifying information about the product and what it’s for. There’s no need to worry that someone may find out that you’re using ED medications if they spot the package at your door.
BlueChew isn’t the only option for ED medication offered online. Here are some possible alternatives to BlueChew that you can consider.
Hims
- What’s offered: Viagra, generic sildenafil, Cialis, generic tadalafil, generic sertraline, generic avanafil
- Price: $3 per dose up to $958 per month for daily doses
- Doses: 25–100 mg for sildenafil, 2.5–20 mg for tadalafil, 50–200 mg for avanafil
Hims was founded in 2017 to provide easier access to sexual health medications. It’s a telemedicine platform providing medical care at its core, but it’s increasingly focused on offering ED medication prescriptions as well as some products for anxiety, depression, hair loss, and skin care.
Roman
- What’s offered: Viagra, generic sildenafil, Cialis, generic tadalafil, generic sertraline
- Price: $4–$10 for a single dose of sildenafil, $11–$80 for a single dose of tadalafil
- Doses: 25–100 mg for sildenafil, 2.5–20 mg for tadalafil, 50 mg for sertraline
Roman is an “end-to-end” consumer healthcare service that specializes in treatments for ED, premature ejaculation, and other conditions like hair loss. In addition to providing these treatments, they can also help you schedule medical appointments and get other prescriptions that you need.
Lemonaid
- What’s offered: generic sildenafil, generic tadalafil
- Price: $25 consultation fee, $30 monthly subscription fee
- Doses: $30 to $220 per order
Lemonaid is a telemedicine service that gets you in touch with doctors and nurse practitioners who can advise you on how to treat over 30 conditions, including ED. Lemonaid has specific processes it follows to assess and treat ED, and many of its services are available via mobile app, phone calls, or video calls.
Eddie by Giddy
- What’s offered: vibrating cock ring approved by the FDA
- Price: $188 (one pack), $298 (two packs)
Eddie by Giddy is a vibrating cock ring that’s meant to be put on your penis to help you get and keep an erection. It’s made of silicone that’s not prone to bacteria build-up, and it’s U-shaped so that you can take it off easier than a regular ring-shaped vibrating ring.
It can be a good alternative to medication or used alongside medication to give you an extra boost before sex or masturbation.
| What’s offered | Prices | Doses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| BlueChew | sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil | from $2 to $3 per dose | 30–45 mg for sildenafil, 6–9 mg for tadalafil, 8 mg for vardenafil |
| Hims | Viagra, generic sildenafil, Cialis, generic tadalafil, generic sertraline, generic avanafil | $3 per dose up to $958 per month for daily doses | 25–100 mg for sildenafil, 2.5–20 mg for tadalafil, 50–200 mg for avanafil |
| Roman | Viagra, generic sildenafil, Cialis, generic tadalafil, generic sertraline | $4–$10 for a single dose of sildenafil, $11–$80 for a single dose of tadalafil | 25–100 mg for sildenafil, 2.5–20 mg for tadalafil, 50 mg for sertraline |
| Lemonaid | generic sildenafil, generic tadalafil | $25 consultation fee, $30 monthly subscription fee; $30 to $220 per order | 20 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg for sildenafil; 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg for tadalafil |
| Eddie by Giddy | vibrating U-shaped cock ring that’s FDA approved | $188 for one pack, $298 for two packs | N/A |
Is there a cure for ED?
There isn’t a cure for ED, but there are several treatment options available. Along with medications, some common solutions may include:
- talk therapy
- penis pumps
- kegel exercises
- yoga
- herbs and supplements like ginseng, shatavari, and horny goat weed
What should I do before trying BlueChew?
Talk with a doctor before introducing BlueChew to your sex life. If you haven’t already received a diagnosis of ED, a doctor may be able to suggest other treatment options based on your health history.
Additionally, a doctor may deter you from using BlueChew if they don’t think it’s a good option for you.
Is BlueChew better than Viagra?
Since BlueChew and Viagra function fairly similarly — they contain the same active ingredient and both improve blood flow — the effectiveness largely depends on the person taking it.
The difference between the two is that BlueChew is an online service, provides chewable tablets, and offers 30-mg and 45-mg options. Viagra comes in 25-mg, 50-mg, and 100-mg options. With BlueChew, medications will be sent directly to your doorstep.
ED is the most common sexual issue that men experience. BlueChew is a monthly subscription-based service that provides chewable tablets to manage ED.
BlueChew sells sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil tablets, which are the active ingredients in Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra, respectively. The service includes an online consultation with a doctor who can recommend the dose and type of medication you should take.