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Roman and BlueChew are online services known for their erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments. Both companies offer easier access to ED medications without trips to the doctor or pharmacy, and none of the awkwardness typically associated with this process. Instead, medication is shipped right to your door.

BlueChew offers only three chewable tablets for ED. Roman, on the other hand, offers other products beyond ED medications like treatments for viral infections, hair loss, eczema, allergies, dandruff, and excess sweating.

Follow along as we break down each brand and what they have to offer to see if either could be a good fit for you.

A quick refresher on how ED meds work

Both sildenafil and tadalafil are oral phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitors. They work by helping relax blood vessels, making it easier to get an erection when you’re sexually aroused.

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Roman is a robust online health service offering digital visits, contact-free delivery, and ongoing care to people experiencing ED and other health conditions. To receive treatment, you must have visited a physician within the past 3 years.

To begin an online visit, you’ll choose from a list of health conditions and then answer a series of specific questions. After setting up an account, you can expect to hear from a licensed healthcare professional within 24 hours for a status update on your request for treatment.

If you’re a Roman member, you can have your prescription prepared and shipped from the platform’s pharmacy network right to your door with free 2-day delivery. You can also choose to use your own pharmacy, as long as it’s part of the Surescripts Network Alliance, and receive electronic prescriptions.

Roman members also get free, unlimited follow-ups with their provider to discuss adjusting the dose if necessary.

Here are the pills Roman offers for erectile dysfunction.

Sildenafil vs. tadalafil: What’s the difference?

The truth is both medications, and the other two PDE5 inhibitors (vardenafil and avanafil), have been proven to be highly effective and the biggest differences depend on your sexual lifestyle and any side effects you may experience.

Each drug has its own pros and cons, but you won’t know how you react to them until you take it. Since these medications require a prescription, make sure to ask your healthcare professional about the potential side effects you could experience and if taking ED meds could react to any medications you’re currently taking.

The major difference between sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil is how long the effects of these medications stay in your system. Sildenafil, vardenafil, and avanafil have a similar time period, about 4 to 6 hours in the blood stream after taking it. Tadalafil, or Cialis, is the exception as it remains in your blood stream for up to 36 hours. If taken daily in smaller doses, around 5 mg to 10 mg, the effects can last longer.

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As a chewable form of ED medication, BlueChew tablets can be a good option if you have difficulty swallowing capsules. They may also be less expensive, depending on your insurance.

Roman

Roman sends ED medications with free 2-day shipping for members. Otherwise, the medications should be received within 4 to 7 days. Total costs depend on the ED medications and dosage you’re prescribed, as well as shipping frequency.

Branded ED medications — Viagra and Cialis — are more expensive. A single Viagra tablet is $90* (all doses), while a Cialis tablet is $20 for 5 mg* and $80 for 10 mg or 20 mg. Generic versions of these medications cost less. Roman sells sildenafil tablets between $4 and $10* per tablet, depending on dosing.

A full breakdown of pricing is available on the Roman website.

*NOTE: Pricing is accurate at the time of publish.

BlueChew

BlueChew’s monthly subscription plans are based on which medication you’re prescribed, the dosage, and the quantity. All plans include the digital provider consultation, chewable tablets, and medical support.

The cheapest plan starts at $20* per month for six tablets of 30 mg sildenafil. At most, you’ll spend $120* per month for 34 tablets of 45 mg sildenafil or 28 tablets of 9 mg tadalafil, plus shipping and tax. The most popular plans are between $50 and $65* per month.

BlueChew notes that their tablets retail between 50% and 80% less than traditional sildenafil and tadalafil.

These prices are lower compared with brand-name ED medications.

*NOTE: Pricing is accurate at the time of publish.


BlueChewRoman
What it isThis monthly subscription-based service provides three kinds of chewable tablets to treat ED.This online health service specializes in ED treatments and other men’s health conditions. ED medications include sildenafil, generic Viagra, branded Viagra, generic Cialis, and branded Cialis.
How it worksComplete a medical profile and digital consultation, then choose a plan to meet your needs. If deemed appropriate, a prescription will be prepared and medication will be shipped to your door.Create an online account and answer a few questions about your medical history. Within 24 hours, a licensed healthcare professional will reach out with an update on the treatment request. Then, prescriptions are prepared, packed, and shipped with free 2-day shipping.
What it costs$20–$120 per month*, plus shipping and tax, depending on the medication, dosage, and quantity$4–$90 per tablet*, depending on the medication, dosage, and quantity
Pros✓ chewable tablets
✓ no in-person doctor’s visits or trips to the pharmacy
✓ shipped in discreet packaging
✓ monthly subscription means easy ordering
✓ less expensive than brand name medications
✓ made in the United States
✓ choice of branded and generic ED medications
✓ no in-person doctor’s visits or trips to the pharmacy
✓ shipped in discreet packaging
✓ monthly subscriptions available
✓ may be less expensive than purchasing through a pharmacy, depending on your insurance
Cons✓ The tablets aren’t approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), though their active ingredients are.
✓ not available in North Dakota, South Carolina, U.S. territories, or internationally
✓ Price could be higher if you choose brand-name medications.
Certain services and medications aren’t available in some states.
*NOTE: Pricing is accurate at the time of publish.

BlueChew is limited to ED medications, but Roman offers a few products for men’s health. These include products for:

  • Hair loss: Medications include finasteride and minoxidil to treat male pattern baldness.
  • Premature ejaculation: Roman-affiliated physicians may recommend behavioral tips, oral medication, and a topical anesthetic.
  • Cold sores and genital herpes: Valacyclovir is the only medication that Roman physicians prescribe for the treatment of cold sores and genital herpes.
  • Testosterone support: Roman sells a supplement made with six main ingredients, including vitamin D3, zinc, magnesium, copper, ashwagandha, and maca. Note that this isn’t intended to treat low testosterone.
  • Allergies: Roman offers several allergy medications, including azelastine nasal spray and montelukast.
  • Skin care, including eczema: Roman-affiliated physicians may prescribe a cream with active ingredients intended to remedy your specific skin concerns. In the case of eczema, Roman prescribes triamcinolone, a medium potency steroid cream. However, a previous diagnosis of eczema is necessary for treatment through Roman.
  • Dandruff: If it’s appropriate, you may be prescribed a blended shampoo that’s made with ciclopirox.
  • Hyperhidrosis: Roman-affiliated physicians may prescribe a prescription antiperspirant made with 20% aluminum chloride to block sweat glands.

Both Roman and BlueChew are relatively young companies. We searched online and checked the FDA warning letter database, and couldn’t find any warning letters or pending lawsuits against either company.

Roman has been in business since 2017. Roman is Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited and has an A+ rating on the website. As of February 2024, the company has an overall score of 1.31 out of 5 stars. Common complaints relate to billing and delivery issues, and service problems.

BlueChew currently has an A+ BBB rating. As of February 2024, there’s a score of 1 out of 5 stars, and there are 5 customer complaints, related mostly to delivery issues.

Customer feedback is largely mixed for both BlueChew and Roman. We checked for customer feedback on Reddit.

On Reddit, reviews for Roman mostly focus on the effects of the ED medications. Most reviewers are pleased, though some mention side effects like facial flushing and heart palpitations.

BlueChew reviews on Reddit are generally positive and mention both the effectiveness of the products and the experience of ordering online.

Privacy and shipping policies

Since both Roman and BlueChew offer telemedicine services and collect personal health information, the companies each state that they comply with standard security and privacy measures used in the healthcare industry.

The companies only share your information when it’s required to provide care through the service, such as with a healthcare professional or pharmacy.

Roman ships their products in single-use packs. Childproof packaging is available on request. Your order will ship in a discreet box with 2-day air shipping. Orders can’t be forwarded to other addresses or shipped to post office (PO) boxes.

BlueChew products ship through the U.S. Postal Service, but overnight shipping is offered as an option too.

Neither Roman nor BlueChew can accept returns of prescription medications.

Roman products can be purchased in all 50 states, although the telemedicine laws in each state may limit which products Roman can offer. ED treatments and medications can’t be purchased in North Dakota or South Carolina.

BlueChew is also available in each state except for North Dakota and South Carolina. They cannot ship to U.S. territories or internationally.

Both sildenafil and tadalafil are FDA-approved under a physician’s supervision for the treatment of ED. Still, there can be some side effects. These include:

If you’re experiencing side effects, speak with your physician.

Interactions

ED medications can interact with other medications you may be taking, such as blood pressure and heart medications. These interactions can cause some serious side effects.

For example, it’s believed that taking nitrates for chest pain or heart disease can cause a sudden and possibly fatal decrease in blood pressure when used with PDE-5 inhibitors.

It’s important to tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you’re taking — whether they’re prescription or over the counter — so they can evaluate how new ED medications may interact with your current medications.

CompanyED medications availablePrice*Other productsBBB accreditation and score
BlueChew• sildenafil
• tadalafil
• vardenafil

$20–$120 for generic, chewable medication forms
none at this time grade: A+
(BBB accredited)
• score: 1/5
Roman• Viagra
• generic Viagra
• sildenafil
• Cialis
• generic Cialis
$20–$90 for brand name
$4–$44 for generic
medications to treat:
• hair loss
• eczema
• genital herpes
• testosterone deficiencies
• allergies
• dandruff
• excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis)
grade: A+
• score: 1.31/5
Hims• Cialis
• generic Cialis
• Viagra
• Stendra
• generic Viagra
$59–$70 for brand name
$4–$12 for generic
medications to treat:
• anxiety and depression
• premature ejaculation
• hair loss
• acne
• cold sores
• genital herpes
• allergies
• cold and flu
grade: A+
• score: 3.92/5
Lemonaid• branded Viagra
• generic Viagra
• branded Cialis
• generic Cialis
• generic Levitra
$2–$8 for genericmedications to treat:
• anxiety
• depression
• hair loss
• cold sores
• genital herpes
• sinus infections
• asthma
• acid reflux
• high blood pressure
• migraine
• high cholesterol
grade A+
• score: 2.34/5
*NOTE: Pricing is accurate at the time of publish.

Both Roman and BlueChew offer convenience, affordability, and professional support for ED. If you’re interested in low cost ED medication only and you prefer to pay less for generic versions, BlueChew offers a simple platform that gives access to a trained medical team for treatment and prescriptions.

At Roman, adults can receive treatment from the privacy of their own home for a range of health conditions, not just ED. Depending on your preferences and treatment recommendations, you’ll have the option of branded and generic ED medications.

You don’t need a prescription to use the services available on Roman or BlueChew. However, you do need a prescription for medications, such as for erectile dysfunction, if it’s considered safe and appropriate following your digital visits.

BlueChew’s chewable tablets are compounded treatments that haven’t been approved by the FDA. However, their active ingredients are the same as those in Viagra and Cialis, which are FDA-approved.

All tablets prescribed by BlueChew physicians are safely compounded by state-licensed compounding pharmacies.

A small 2017 study suggests that chewable sildenafil tablets have similar effectiveness as pills, though the chewable tablets have 40% more active ingredient in order to reach these results. Since BlueChew isn’t FDA-approved, and the dosing is less than standard pills, some experts question exactly how much active ingredient is in BlueChew tablets.

Roman sells branded and generic ED medications. Viagra and Cialis are FDA-approved, and both sildenafil and tadalafil have been approved by the FDA under a physician’s supervision.

Roman is available in all 50 states, but they can’t treat some conditions in certain states because of telemedicine laws. ED treatment and medication aren’t available in North Dakota or South Carolina.

BlueChew is available in all U.S. states except North Dakota and South Carolina. They don’t offer treatments in U.S. territories or internationally.

Neither company accepts returns for prescription medications.

Both companies offer generic versions of the medications sildenafil and tadalafil. Each of these medications is FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction.

There are risks to taking any medication, although most of these are short-term side effects that should disappear when you stop taking the medication. Some side effects can include flushing and erections that last more than 4 hours. Talk with your doctor about other medications you’re taking to avoid other complications or long-term problems.

Both Roman and BlueChew offer digital alternatives to traditional healthcare for ED. They’re designed to be convenient, discreet, and affordable, which may be appealing if you have difficulty going to a doctor’s office or pharmacy. At Roman, you can also get treatment for a few men’s health conditions.

Choosing between BlueChew and Roman largely boils down to your health needs and your preference for branded or generic ED medications. In addition, you may also want to consider if you prefer a chewable tablet, clarity around a product’s active ingredients, or an FDA-approved product.


Jessica Timmons has been working as a freelance writer since 2007, covering everything from pregnancy and parenting to cannabis, chiropractic, stand-up paddling, fitness, martial arts, home decor, and much more. Her work has appeared in mindbodygreen, Pregnancy & Newborn, Modern Parents Messy Kids, and Coffee + Crumbs. See what she’s up to now at jessicatimmons.com.