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Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the consistent inability to maintain an erection firm enough for sexual intercourse.
It’s the most common sexual issue that men in the United States experience. It’s thought to affect as many as
BlueChew is a monthly subscription-based service that provides men with ED a discreet treatment option in the form of chewable tablets. The company delivers chewable versions of sildenafil and tadalafil, commonly prescribed ED medications. These tablets arrive by mail in a predetermined quantity and don’t require an in-person visit to a doctor or pharmacy.
In this article, we’ll examine how BlueChew’s subscription service works, its pros and cons, and how it compares price-wise with other ED medications.
BlueChew is an online subscription-based service that delivers ED medication to men in the United States. After signing up for the subscription service, users are connected to a licensed medical professional who will provide a digital consultation to learn more about 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 — and two medication options — sildenafil or tadalafil — both of which come in the form of a chewable tablet.
Each month, BlueChew ships ED medication right to your door, in the quantity of your choice. You can choose from 4 to 34 pills per month and two different doses: 30 milligrams (mg) or 45 mg.
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
The company sells chewable tablets of either sildenafil or tadalafil. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra and Revatio, while Tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis and Adcirca.
While Viagra and Cialis and the active ingredients used in them are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ED, the treatments offered through BlueChew are not independently FDA approved in their chewable form.
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.
Once you create an account with BlueChew, you can set up an online consultation with a licensed medical professional who can then write you a prescription for either sildenafil or tadalafil.
You’ll then be sent BlueChew tablets by mail each month in discreet packaging.
| Generic name | Brand names |
| sildenafil | Viagra, Revatio |
| tadalafil | Cialis, Adcirca |
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:
The Active plan includes either six tablets of sildenafil (30 mg) or four tablets of tadalafil (6 mg) for $20. If you want to up the dosage, you can opt for 45 mg of sildenafil or 9 mg of tadalafil for $30 per month.
The Busy plan includes either 10 tablets of sildenafil (30 mg) or 7 tablets of tadalafil (6 mg) for $30, or you can up the dosage for $40 per month.
The Popular plan includes either 17 tablets of sildenafil (30 mg) or 14 tablets of tadalafil (6 mg) for $50, or you can up the dosage for $65 per month.
BlueChew’s most expensive monthly subscription, called the Pro, starts at $90 monthly. It includes either 34 sildenafil tablets (30 mg) or 28 tadalafil tablets (6 mg). If you want to up the dosage, you’ll pay $120 per month for 45-mg tablets of sildenafil or 9-mg tablets of tadalafil.
Because BlueChew is a prescription-based business, you can’t return your medications or get a refund.
Instead, BlueChew 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
The price of BlueChew’s subscriptions is relatively cheap compared with brand-name ED medications.
A
Generic sildenafil and tadalafil are often sold 50 to 80 percent cheaper than the brand-name versions.
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
- chewable tablets
- no in-person doctor visit
- medication arrives by mail in discreet packaging
- cheaper than brand-name ED medications
- made in the United States
Cons
- chewable tablets themselves aren’t FDA approved (but the active ingredients of the tablets are FDA approved)
- need to pay online
- not available outside the United States
- not available in North Dakota, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico
BlueChew is best for males ages 18 or older who want longer-lasting or stronger erections and have been diagnosed with ED by a licensed medical professional.
The service may be especially beneficial for men who would rather not go to an in-person doctor’s visit to get a prescription for ED medication or who are having a hard time swallowing pills.
BlueChew sells two types of ED medications: sildenafil or tadalafil. These medications have comparable levels of effectiveness and safety for treating ED.
However, a
Researchers cited that men who took tadalafil “felt less time pressure and a reduced sense of urgency and had to do less planning before and during sexual encounters compared with those taking sildenafil.”
BlueChew vs. Viagra
Sildenafil is the active ingredient found in Viagra. Since 2016, sildenafil has been FDA approved 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 strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg.
The price for a BlueChew sildenafil subscription ranges from $20 to $120 per month, or about $2.60 to $5 per pill, depending on which plan and strength you choose. Viagra costs around $70 per pill. Neither are usually covered by insurance.
Another difference is that Viagra is a tablet that you have to swallow, while the sildenafil from BlueChew is a chewable tablet.
BlueChew comes in chewable tablets that you can take before sexual activity. Both types of medications 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, meaning they relax your blood vessels.
These medications make it easier to get an erection since you have increased blood flow to your penis. However, 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, though this depends 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.
The primary active ingredients in BlueChew — sildenafil and tadalafil — are FDA approved for treating ED. The tablets are made by compounding the active ingredients into a chewable tablet form, which isn’t currently FDA approved.
PDE-5 inhibitors lower your blood pressure throughout your body. Most commonly used to treat ED, 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, although most people experience no side effects or only minor ones.
According to the National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom, common side effects occur in more than 1 in 100 people who take sildenafil. The more serious side effects occur in fewer than 1 in 1,000 people.
| 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. Like sildenafil, common side effects occur in more than 1 in 100 people, and more serious side effects occur in fewer than 1 in 1,000 people, according to the NHS.
| 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 |
Stop taking medication for ED if you notice any concerning symptoms
Not all potential side effects for sildenafil and tadalafil are included here.
If you notice any concerning or abnormal symptoms, stop taking the medication right away and talk with a doctor.
BlueChew has primarily positive reviews from its users. The company has an A+ Better Business Bureau accreditation. They currently have six customer complaints regarding customer service and refunds.
No lawsuits have been filed against BlueChew, nor have there been any recalls.
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
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, then check out our FindCare tool here.
What should I do before trying BlueChew?
Talk with a doctor before introducing BlueChew to your sex life. If you haven’t already been diagnosed with 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 biggest difference between the two is that BlueChew is an online service and provides chewable tablets. 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 target ED.
BlueChew sells sildenafil and tadalafil tablets, which are the active ingredients in Viagra and Cialis, respectively. The service includes an online consultation with a doctor who can recommend the dose and type of medication you should take.