Roman is an alternative men’s healthcare system aimed at providing medications for a variety of health issues. Here’s an in-depth review of its services for erectile dysfunction.
A quick look at Roman’s ED medications
If you’re interested in men’s health services but don’t want to make a trip to the doctor in person, you may have come across the brand Roman.
In this article, we’re taking a close look at the brand: its services, what’s behind the hype of its popular erectile dysfunction (ED) treatments, other products you can try, and whether it’s worth checking out.
Roman ED Medications
What is Roman?
Roman is a men’s health service that specializes in treatments for ED, premature ejaculation (PE), and other health conditions affecting males.
It’s a sub-brand of a company called Ro. Ro launched in 2017 with the intention of providing “end-to-end” consumer healthcare service, according to the company. Ro seeks to help with all parts of your medical journey, including scheduling appointments, filling prescriptions, and more.
Roman focuses specifically on providing services for men’s health. The brand is most known for its ED medications that have the same active ingredient as brands like Viagra and Cialis. But Roman also provides:
- online and in-person appointment services through an online dashboard
- prescription fills and refills with licensed pharmacies
- treatments for viral infections
- hair and skin treatments for hair loss, eczema, cold sores, and more
- generic forms of common treatments for allergies, heart health, and smoking cessation
- nutritional supplements for stress relief, weight management, and more
Which ED treatments are available through Roman?
Roman’s generic ED treatments are its most popular offering. The company provides brand-name Viagra, generic Viagra (sildenafil), brand-name Cialis, and generic Cialis (tadalafil).
Here’s a brief overview of the ED medications Roman provides:
What about Ro Sparks?
Ro Sparks is a compounded prescription drug that combines two different medications to create a new product. Since these compounded prescription drugs are not approved by the FDA, there is a bigger risk to the user. Therefore, we do not recommend this product, and it did not pass our vetting process.
The Ro Daily Rise Gummies are a compounded prescription drug; however, they use only one drug — tadalafil — and are in gummy form.
We encourage you to talk with your healthcare professional before starting any medication relating to ED and to be mindful of any side effects.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We evaluate services for consistency with standards of care and best practices, and we look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the services on this page, we considered all the ED treatment services that passed our vetting process. Then, we scored each service to narrow down our list even further.
What is the process for ordering ED medication at Roman?
Roman claims to make prescription products easier to access through a subscription-based, telehealth model.
When you want a prescription for ED medications, hair loss products, or another medication, you can go through Roman’s website and answer a few questions.
You’ll also need to submit a picture of your photo ID and a clear photo of your face. A licensed healthcare professional then reviews your information and, if you’re a good candidate for telemedicine, they will fill the prescription for you.
Certain U.S. states require the additional step of a video chat with one of Roman’s healthcare professionals. These professionals are doctors with independently owned practices.
You may need to submit some additional information, too. If you’re getting a prescription for ED medication, you’ll need to provide an accurate blood pressure reading from within the last 6 months. And if you’re signing up for hair loss medication, you’ll need to provide photos of your hairline from different angles.
If you meet the criteria for Roman telemedicine and your prescription is approved, you’re ready to order.
You select whether you want a quarterly or monthly subscription for your medications, or if you want a one-time purchase. Within 2 days, the products are mailed to your home in an unmarked box and in discreet packaging.
You can cancel the subscription whenever you want.
Roman doesn’t currently accept health insurance as a form of payment.
What’s the price of Roman ED medications?
ED medications at Roman are not covered by insurance, but there are lower cost generic versions of Viagra and Cialis available that can help you save money each month. Here’s a breakdown of how much Roman charges for each ED treatment:
Branded Viagra
- $90 for a single 25-, 50-, or 100-mg oral tablet
Sildenafil (generic Viagra)
- $4 for a single 25-mg oral tablet
- $6 for a single 50-mg oral tablet
- $10 for a single 100-mg oral tablet
Branded Cialis
- $20 for a single 5-mg oral tablet
- $80 for a single 10- or 20-mg oral tablet
Tadalafil (generic Cialis)
- $11 for a single 5-mg oral tablet
- $44 for a single 10- or 20-mg oral tablet
Daily tadalafil (generic Cialis)
- $8 for a single 2.5- or 5-mg oral tablet
Ro Daily Rise Gummies
- $89 for 30 gummies (1 month)
- $69 for 90 gummies (3 months)
See Roman’s website for a full list of medications and prices.
Note: All prices are current as of July 2024.
Comparing Roman’s ED pills side by side
| Product name | Cost | Usage | Dosage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roman Viagra | $90 per pill | take as needed | 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg |
| Roman Sildenafil | $4 to $6 per pill | take as needed | 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg |
| Roman Cialis | $20 to $80 per pill | take as needed | 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg |
| Roman Tadalafil | $8 to $44 per pill | take daily at lower dose or as needed at higher dose | 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg |
| Ro Daily Rise Gummies | $89 for one month; $69 for three months | take at the same time every day for the best effects | 7 mg |
*Prices accurate as of July 2024
Privacy practices
If you’re experiencing ED symptoms, it may feel intimidating or even embarrassing to ask for help. Roman helps remove some of that discomfort by helping you talk with a doctor online and get medications shipped discreetly to your door.
In addition, Roman’s products are shipped in unmarked boxes, so anyone who sees the package won’t be able to tell what’s inside.
The Roman website says that customers’ information is highly secure. However, the company’s privacy policy does note that any data Roman collects from customers may be shared with third-party advertisers.
Comparison table: Roman vs. competitors
| Company name | ED medications available | Healthline score |
|---|---|---|
| Roman | • brand-name Viagra • sildenafil (generic Viagra) • brand-name Cialis • tadalafil (generic Cialis) | 4.0/5 |
| Hims | • brand-name Viagra • sildenafil (generic Viagra) • brand-name Cialis • tadalafil (generic Cialis) | 4.3/5 |
| Lemonaid | • sildenafil (generic Viagra) • tadalafil (generic Cialis) • brand-name Stendra | 3.9/5 |
| BlueChew | • sildenafil (generic Viagra) • tadalafil (generic Cialis) • vardenafil (generic Levitra) | 3.0/5 |
| Rex MD | • brand-name Viagra • sildenafil (generic Viagra) • brand-name Cialis • tadalafil (generic Cialis) | 3.9/5 |
| Optum Perks | dependent on your telehealth doctor’s prescription and stock at your local pharmacy | 4.2/5 |
How we evaluated Roman for ED medications and other telehealth services
You can’t get Viagra without a prescription, so we made sure to include only companies that require a prescription or provide a consultation with a healthcare professional who can write a prescription.
Each company we recommend undergoes a thorough vetting process. During this process, a team of experts carefully evaluates companies based on quality, accessibility, cost, and availability. This allows us to give you strong recommendations for products that offer good value for your money.
We also ensure that sponsors and business partners never influence our content.
In addition, we review BBB ratings (where applicable) and check to make sure none of these brands have FDA
If you’d like to read more about our selection process and scoring system for telehealth platforms, check out Healthline Scores: How We Evaluate Men’s Telehealth Platforms.
Customer service and reviews
Roman currently has an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website and a score of 1.13 out of 5 stars as of July 2024. Positive reviews point to feeling at ease when talking about concerns with the medical team and many of the 5-star reviews praise the fast shipping speeds and quick responses from customer service, but user experience can vary.
Negative reviews point to several issues:
- late response times from customer service representatives
- unauthorized charges for canceled subscriptions
- not receiving subscriptions after being charged for them
- concerns about privacy relating to personal information
- lack of choices when picking a doctor for telemedicine appointments
Roman has responded to numerous customer reviews in great detail and offers a customer service contact email for any issues with incorrect or misplaced orders.
Read more about how Roman stacks up with competitors.
Safety and side effects
Both sildenafil and tadalafil are part of a drug class called phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) inhibitors and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prescription use under the supervision of a doctor.
However, be sure to talk with your doctor about possible risks, interactions, or side effects of using any Roman medications, especially when using PDE5 inhibitors in high doses.
Keep in close communication with your doctor in case you notice any new symptoms.
PDE5 inhibitor side effects
Some side effects are possible with sildenafil and tadalafil, including:
- rash
- flushing
- redness
- muscle aches
- sore throat
- back pain
- headache
- runny nose
- indigestion
- erection that lasts longer than 4 hours (priapism)
- blurry vision
If you’re taking nitrates (medications for chest pain) such as isosorbide dinitrate (Isordil), isosorbide mononitrate (Monoket), and nitroglycerin (Nitromist, Nitro-Dur, Nitrostat), tell your doctor. Taking these medications with PDE5 inhibitors can cause dangerously low blood pressure.
Roman vs. Hims: Wondering which of these two companies is better?
Roman and Hims are two of the best online pharmacies for ordering Viagra online. But which one is right for your needs? We compared Hims versus Roman to break down their prices, customer reviews, and subscription policies to help you make a more informed decision.
Read our review of Hims vs. Roman.
When to talk with your doctor
Some doctors suggest that you visit a urologist if your ED medication isn’t helping you get and keep an erection 50% of the time or more.
If you have a chronic health condition or your doctor suspects an underlying condition might be contributing to ED, you may need further tests or a consultation with a specialist to find the right treatment.
Many emotional and psychological factors can also cause ED, so your doctor may also refer you to a mental health professional.
Frequently asked questions about using Roman for ED medications
Generally, healthcare professionals recommend taking an ED treatment like Cialis on a daily basis or Viagra as needed before sex but no more than once per day.
It’s worth noting that each Revatio pill contains 20 mg of sildenafil and is prescribed to treat pulmonary hypertension. Treatment for pulmonary hypertension involves taking three Revatio pills per day. The same dosage should not be used for ED.
Younger people can experience ED. In that case, a doctor may prescribe ED medication to people ages 18 years and older.
If you’re not experiencing symptoms of ED and you haven’t been given a prescription, do not take ED medication.
Sildenafil and tadalafil are FDA approved for prescription use under doctor supervision. However, that doesn’t mean they come without risks or side effects.
Pay attention to any new symptoms, and talk with your doctor about possible risks, interactions, or side effects of using Roman medications. This is especially important if you use PDE5 inhibitors in high doses.
Roman ED medications typically begins working after about 30 to 60 minutes. However, taking daily Cialis means that you could potentially be ready for sex without having to take the pill ahead of an anticipated encounter.
Takeaway
If you’re feeling self-conscious about ED and don’t have access to a healthcare plan that covers treatments, Roman can help fill the gap by offering safe, reliable treatments.
Roman provides physician consultations and discreet packaging so you can effectively manage this common condition.