BlueChew is an online subscription retailer that offers treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in the form of chewable tablets.
These tablets contain sildenafil or tadalafil, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved both of these drugs to treat ED. However, the FDA has not specifically approved the BlueChew products.
This article provides further information about what BlueChew offers. It also discusses alternative options and when to see a doctor about ED.
Please note that the writer of this article has not tried these products. All information presented is purely research-based and was correct at the time of publication.
Medical News Today follows a strict product selection and vetting process. Learn more here.
Below are some advantages and disadvantages of using BlueChew products:
Pros
- The company provides access to prescription medication online.
- The service may be convenient and private.
- These chewables have the same active ingredients, sildenafil or tadalafil, as Viagra or Cialis.
- Chewables may suit people who cannot swallow pills.
- A person does not need water to take medication in chewable form.
- The prices may be competitive.
Cons
- Health insurance companies do not cover the cost.
- The products are not available in North Dakota, South Carolina, United States territories, or internationally.
- The active ingredients do not work for all people.
- People taking nitrate medications should not use BlueChew’s products.
ED involves difficulty getting or maintaining an erection firm enough for satisfying sexual activity.
There are various causes, and ED can affect anyone with a penis who has reached sexual maturity. It is more common in older adults, but aging is not a direct cause of ED.
The
- occasionally having an erection when desired, but not every time
- having an erection but not maintaining it for long enough to have sex
- being unable to have an erection
A person with ED may have a higher risk of other health conditions. For example, a 2019 systematic review found that people with ED have a significantly higher risk of coronary heart disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and all-cause mortality.
BlueChew sells chewable ED medication. This may benefit people with ED who cannot swallow pills whole. According to research,
The service may also suit people who cannot visit a doctor in person or wish to avoid doing so. The company says that its medically trained team assesses customers’ needs and creates personalized plans.
BlueChew offers tablets containing one of two active ingredients — sildenafil or tadalafil.
Sildenafil is the active ingredient in the brand name drug Viagra, and research suggests that its effects last for
The FDA has approved sildenafil and tadalafil as ED treatments, but BlueChew’s products do not currently have FDA approval.
Learn more about the differences between sildenafil, tadalafil, and other ED medications.
BlueChew may best suit those experiencing difficulties achieving or maintaining an erection.
Individuals may also prefer this chewable tablet if they dislike swallowing regular tablets, capsules, or softgels.
Telemedicine makes it possible for an online subscription retailer such as BlueChew to sell prescription medication.
Anyone interested in using BlueChew’s products first completes a medical profile on the company’s website. They then have a digital consultation with a state-licensed healthcare professional.
The healthcare professional reviews the person’s profile, and if they think it advisable, they prescribe the appropriate BlueChew product within 2 business days. The company partners with pharmacies, where the chewable medications are prepared and shipped to customers.
Health insurance does not cover BlueChew products. The company claims that its customers pay less than they would if they purchased a similar product through a doctor.
Orders and shipping
BlueChew offers a subscription service that a person pays for monthly.
Before a person can subscribe, they must complete a medical profile and have a digital consultation with an affiliated, state-qualified medical professional. If appropriate, the medical professional prescribes the appropriate BlueChew product, and a local affiliated pharmacy prepares and ships the order.
A customer receives an email with tracking information when their order is shipped. BlueChew offers overnight shipping Monday–Thursday for orders placed before noon Central Standard Time.
BlueChew delivers to most addresses within the U.S., but it does not deliver to North Dakota, South Carolina, or U.S. territories. It also does not ship internationally.
BlueChew says that it uses discreet packaging.
Choosing a plan
The price of a BlueChew subscription depends on the medication and dosage prescribed and the plan a person chooses. The per-pill cost decreases as the order size increases.
| Plan name | Sildenafil chewables | Sildenafil dosage | Tadalafil chewables | Tadalafil dosage | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active | 6 | 30 milligrams (mg) | 4 | 6 mg | $20 |
| Busy | 10 | 30 mg | 7 | 6 mg | $30 |
| Popular | 17 | 30 mg | 14 | 6 mg | $50 |
| Pro | 34 | 30 mg | 28 | 6 mg | $90 |
| Active | 6 | 45 mg | 4 | 9 mg | $30 |
| Busy | 10 | 45 mg | 7 | 9 mg | $40 |
| Popular | 17 | 45 mg | 14 | 9 mg | $65 |
| Pro | 34 | 45 mg | 28 | 9 mg | $120 |
Returns and refunds
A person cannot return or obtain a refund for their prescribed medication. However, anyone who has received an incorrect or possibly defective order should contact customer support.
If a BlueChew product is not effective, a person should inform the company, and the medical team will consider other appropriate treatment options.
Privacy
The company’s website states that BlueChew keeps personal data, medical records, and financial transactions completely private.
It does share limited information about site visitors to advertisers, though people can opt out of this.
BlueChew states that customers generally experience very few side effects. The most commonly reported side effects of these products include:
In addition, tadalafil may cause irritation in the nose and throat, and sildenafil may lead to heartburn.
As BlueChew states, if any of the above side effects become troublesome or do not pass, discontinue the medication and contact a doctor.
The side effects that BlueChew lists are similar to those that people may experience when taking Viagra or Cialis. The companies that manufacture these branded drugs also list an upset stomach and indigestion as a possible side effect.
BlueChew has a Trustpilot rating of 3.8 stars out of 5, with just two reviews. One review is positive about the effectiveness of the product. The other review suggests that the product did not work, and the customer did not receive help from customer service.
The company has a customer review rating of 2.33 stars out of 5 and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau (BBB). The company is also BBB accredited. It has closed five complaints in the past year, most of which concerned issues with delivery.
Customer reviews on the company’s website are generally positive. Some report improvements in erections and sexual confidence. Others report prompt product delivery.
Other reviews note, however, that the medications were ineffective. Some reviewers report that the taste of the chewables was initially off-putting but that they quickly grew accustomed to it.
The table below compares BlueChew with its competitors.
| Brand | Medications and uses | Cost | Dosage | Telehealth option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueChew | sildenafil, tadalafil for ED | from $20 for 6 sildenafil pills or 4 tadalafil pills to $120 for 34 sildenafil pills or 28 tadalafil pills, depending on the dosage | 30–45 mg for sildenafil, 6–9 mg for tadalafil | yes |
| Viagra | brand name version of sildenafil for ED | around $79 a pill | available in 25, 50, and 100 mg doses | depends on provider |
| Cialis | brand name version of tadalafil for ED | around $107 a pill | available in 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg doses | depends on provider |
| Roman | nutritional supplements and medications for ED, hair loss, premature ejaculation, herpes, allergies | $2–10 per sildenafil pill, $11–44 per tadalafil pill, depending on the dosage | 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 mg for sildenafil, 2.5. 5, 10, and 20 mg for tadalafil | yes |
| Hims | medications for ED, premature ejaculation, hair loss, mental health, allergies, and other primary care concerns | From $4 per dose of sildenafil to $99 per monthly amount of tadalafil | 25, 50, and 100 mg for sildenafil, 2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg for tadalafil | yes |
The following are some other treatment options for ED.
Eddie by Giddy
Eddie by Giddy is an FDA-approved wearable medical device available to purchase over the counter.
The device fits around the base of the penis. It is available in four sizes, so a person should be able to use the product regardless of the circumference, or girth, of their penis. The devices are customizable and come with bands that provide different levels of tension.
Eddie by Giddy says that the design of its device provides pressure in the right places to create, assist, and enhance a person’s erection and sexual experience.
Vacuum devices
A doctor may prescribe a vacuum device, which is a tube that fits over the penis. Some are available over the counter, as well. This device draws blood flow to the penis, allowing it to become erect.
Research has confirmed the effectiveness of vacuum devices for people with ED after prostate removal surgery.
Learn more about vacuum devices here.
Other advice
The following self-care strategies can
- quitting smoking, if this applies
- limiting alcohol consumption, for people who drink
- engaging in more physical activity
- refraining from using illegal drugs
In some cases, a doctor may discuss surgical options, such as a penile implant or artery repair that could increase blood flow to the area.
ED is a common problem, especially for those over the age of 40. Factors such as stress, anxiety, tiredness, or excessive alcohol consumption can cause or contribute to it.
Anyone who experiences persistent difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection should consult a doctor for advice. In some cases, ED could signal an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, heart disease, or high blood pressure.
Below are answers to some common questions about BlueChew.
Does BlueChew work?
The active ingredients in BlueChew products are sildenafil and tadalafil.
However, they might not work for everyone. BlueChew subscribers may find that one drug is more effective than the other.
Why isn’t BlueChew FDA approved?
The active ingredients in BlueChew’s products, sildenafil and tadalafil, are used in FDA-approved medications, such as Viagra and Cialis. However, BlueChew’s chewable form of these medications has not received FDA approval.
Is BlueChew safe?
Sildenafil came onto the market in 1998, and tadalafil in 2003.
- headaches
- nasal congestion
- indigestion
- cold-like symptoms
However, both can cause serious side effects and interact with other medications. Individuals should speak with a doctor before using any medication for ED.
Does BlueChew make the penis bigger?
BlueChew’s products can help people with penises have and maintain erections. It does not increase the size of the penis.
BlueChew sells chewable tablets that contain either sildenafil or tadalafil. Both are treatments for ED.
The products are available to purchase online without an in-person visit to a doctor. However, the company conducts online consultations before its medical team writes prescriptions for the products.
A person should speak with a doctor about ED symptoms before trying medication. They should also report any persistent side effects of drug-based treatments.