Talking about your sexual health can lead to feelings of embarrassment or discomfort, but it’s important to know that you’re not alone. Based on our October 2023 survey of 360 men with erectile dysfunction, 70 percent of respondents say they felt shame about their erectile dysfunction (ED) before starting treatment.
“Taking that initial step may seem daunting, but it’s also a courageous one for your own well-being,” says LeMeita Smith, psychologist and director of clinical services at United Health Services.
If you’re feeling nervous about bringing up your ED issues in person to your physician, a telehealth visit might be more comfortable. However, we do still recommend visiting your primary health care provider in person for a full evaluation to determine if it is safe for you to take ED medications and to rule out any other possible health concerns.
Online platforms like BlueChew offer low-cost ED consultations and prescription medications. Our team diligently researched and tested BlueChew to determine if it’s a good option for those looking for telehealth ED treatment.
BlueChew for ED overview
Insights from our testers
Our 2023 survey of men with erectile dysfunction found that the top features users look for in an online ED service includes online prescriptions (and no need for an in-person visit), discreet shipping, and generic medication options. BlueChew meets all these criteria—and more. BlueChew is a subscription-based service that lets you purchase ED medication online at an affordable price. The company offers a selection of flavored, chewable versions of sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil tablets.
When you sign up for a monthly delivery plan, you get access to a free online consultation (within 24 hours) and 24/7 medical support. Depending on your location, you either have to fill out a questionnaire or go through a live virtual consultation. You’ll receive a prescription if the licensed online medical provider thinks it’s appropriate, so make sure to fill out the questionnaire or answer any provider questions openly and honestly. ED medications can interact with other medications or supplements you may be taking and may not be suitable for everyone. Again, this is why we also recommend seeing a primary care provider in person before ordering any medications online.
If a BlueChew health care professional determines ED medication is a fit for you, you can choose to have the medications delivered right to your doorstep or a compounding pharmacy of your choice.
BlueChew delivers
BlueChew delivers within the United States only, with the exception of North Dakota, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico.
While compounded medications like BlueChew chewable tablets contain FDA-approved active ingredients, the FDA doesn’t regulate or approve compounded drugs the same way they do other prescription medications. Compounded drugs still have to meet industry standards and state regulations. But there’s no FDA guarantee that compounded drugs will work the same or have the same safety profile as manufactured ones. When opting for a service like BlueChew that only deals in compounded prescriptions, this is something to consider.
While our experience with BlueChew was mostly positive, one tester noted that some customer service associates were pushy and unwilling to answer questions without first getting the tester’s contact information, including full legal name and date of birth. After some persistence, our tester was able to get some answers but still received further questions about their contact information.
What other users are saying
Our testers spend hours researching customer and user reviews. Many customers say they appreciate BlueChew for its easy-to-control shipments—skipping, pausing, and canceling as needed—and that the ED medication options are affordable. Several people also said they found the chewables effective and didn’t report any side effects, though others also found the pills ineffective despite having had previous success with brand-name options.
BlueChew is the fourth most popular ED medication service in our October 2023 survey. Respondents who tried BlueChew cite discreet shipping as a key feature when choosing the platform. The majority of users who tried BlueChew also say that getting ED treatment through the platform was simple and straightforward
One focus group participant who tried the service appreciates that BlueChew put them in touch with a health care professional to evaluate if medication was appropriate, as well as the range of doses offered.
HelpGuide Handbook’s erectile dysfunction testing methodology
The Handbook Team has tested 26 telehealth platforms that offer prescription medication for erectile dysfunction. Our team acts as mystery shoppers to compare each platform’s screening process, navigation, cost, delivery time, and restrictions. Our testers complete the sign-up process, fill out questionnaires, click through all educational information, and note available medications and dosages.
To learn about what happens after someone submits their information to a provider, our team has surveyed 360 men who have gotten erectile dysfunction medication online. The team also holds multiple focus groups with real users to get more candid responses about the effects of erectile dysfunction treatment.
To learn more about how we review ED medication platforms and treatments, read our full erectile dysfunction methodology.
What you need to know about BlueChew for ED
If you only learn four things about BlueChew for erectile dysfunction, here’s what you need to know:
Offers generic ED medications in a chewable tablet format, which can be helpful for those who have trouble swallowing pills.
Subscription service delivers medications to your door or nearest compounding pharmacy.
While the active ingredients of the chewables are FDA-approved, the chewable format is not.
Provides a free virtual consultation with a licensed health care provider.
Medications offered by BlueChew for ED
BlueChew offers a selection of medications in flavored, chewable tablets, including sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, which are generic versions of the brand-name drugs Viagra, Cialis, and Levitra/Staxyn. The chewable ED medications BlueChew provides aren’t FDA-approved, but the active ingredients are the same ones found in brand-name, FDA-approved ED drugs.
If you have trouble swallowing pills, a chewable tablet might be a suitable alternative to standard capsules. Research has found that up to 40 percent of people in the United States have experienced some issues with pill swallowing.
Generic ED medication is available in the following doses through BlueChew:
- Sildenafil (Viagra): 30mg, 45mg
- Tadalafil (Cialis): 6mg, 9mg
- Vardenafil (Levitra/Staxyn): 8mg
Unlike sildenafil and vardenafil, which you only take as needed, tadalafil (Cialis) can be taken as a daily pill or as needed. In addition to the dose, you can choose how many pills you receive from BlueChew each month depending on how often you plan to have sex.
Compare BlueChew with other erectile dysfunction medication platforms in 2024
| Provider | Cost | Insurance | Can prescribe medication?* | Visit Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20–$120 per month | No | Yes | Visit Site | |
| $99 per month | No | Yes | Visit Site | |
| $48–$120 per month | No | Yes | Visit Site | |
| $2–$29 per dose | No | Yes | Visit Site | |
| $2–$8 per dose | No | Yes | Visit Site | |
| $6–$80 per dose | No | Yes | Visit Site |
How much does BlueChew cost for ED medication?
BlueChew offers ED treatment options at a lower price point than some of its competitors. Unlike many other online platforms, connecting with a health care provider for a prescription on BlueChew is free.
BlueChew is a subscription service that offers medication plans with a recurring monthly fee. Here’s a breakdown of the costs:*
Sildenafil:
30mg
- Six pack, $20/month
- 10 pack, $30/month
- 17 pack, $50/month
- 34 pack, $90/month
45mg
- Six pack, $30/month
- 10 pack, $40/month
- 17 pack, $65/month
- 34 pack, $120/month
Tadalafil:
6mg
- Four pack, $20/month
- Seven pack, $30/month
- 14 pack, $50/month
- 28 pack, $90/month
9mg
- Four pack, $30/month
- Seven pack, $40/month
- 14 pack, $65/month
- 28 pack, $120/month
Vardenafil:
8mg
- Four pack, $20/month
- Eight pack, $35/month
- 15 pack, $65/month
- 30 pack, $120/month
*Prices accurate as of February 20th, 2024.
You’ll also need to factor in the cost of shipping, which is $5 for three to four business days, $6.95 for two to three business days, and $29.95 for overnight delivery.
Insurance options
BlueChew does not take insurance. However, if you have private health insurance, you may be able to get reimbursed for the cost of ED medications. Not all health insurance plans cover prescription ED drugs, and those that do may have coverage conditions. We recommend you call your insurance provider to find out whether ED medications are covered under your plan and whether there are any coverage limits, such as only a certain number of pills per month.
You can also use your health savings account (HSA) card to pay for purchases through BlueChew.
Our final verdict
We believe that BlueChew can be a good option for people who want to take a pill but don’t have water handy to swallow one or for those who have trouble swallowing pills. BlueChew can deliver accessible, affordable ED treatments to your home or nearby compound pharmacy. It’s important to note that BlueChew’s chewable tablet format is not FDA-approved, although the ingredients in the tablets are FDA-approved. We also think it is always best to see your primary health care provider in person for a full evaluation before beginning any new medications.
Frequently asked questions
BlueChew does not accept insurance, and many health insurance companies offer only limited coverage of ED medications. Talk with your provider about what is and isn’t covered under your policy.
Reviews on the effectiveness of BlueChew chewable tablets are mixed. While the active ingredients in BlueChew products are FDA-approved, the chewable format is not.
Some reviewers cite having a positive experience with BlueChew and noted the chewables were effective in treating their ED. However, others note that the chewables were not as effective as traditional ED pills.
BlueChew sildenafil tablets contain the same active ingredient in Viagra. They may be a better option than Viagra for people who can’t easily swallow pills.
- Feldman, H.A., Goldstein, I., Hatzichristou, D.G., Krane, R.J., & McKinlay, J.B. (1994, January 1). Impotence and its medical and psychosocial correlates: Results of the Massachusetts Male Aging Study. Journal of Urology, 151(1): 54–61. Link
- Elterman, D.S., Bhattacharyya, S.K., Mafilios, M., Woodward, E., Nitschelm, K., & Burnett, A.L. (2021). The quality of life and economic burden of erectile dysfunction. Research and Reports in Urology, 13: 79–86. Link
- Platinum 69000 Rhino 69 Contains Hidden Drug Ingredient. (2023, May 5). U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Link
- Fode, M., Nolsøe, A.B., Jacobsen, F.M., Russo, G.I., Østergren, P.B., Jensen, C.F.S., Albersen, M., Capogrosso, P., & Sønksen, J. (2020, June 24). Quality of information in YouTube videos on erectile dysfunction. Sexual Medicine, 8(3): 408–413. Link
- Burnett, A.L., Edwards, N.C., Barrett, T.M., Nitschelm, K.D., Bhattacharyya, S.K. (2020, September-October). Addressing health-care system inequities in the management of erectile dysfunction: A call to action. Am J Mens Health, 14(5): 1557988320965078. Link
- Compounding and the FDA: Questions and answers. (2022). Food and Drug Administration. Link
- Dhaliwal, A., & Gupta, M. (2023, April). PDE5 inhibitors. Link
- Forough, A.S., Lau, E.TL., Steadman, K.J., Cichero, J. AY., Kyle, G.J., Santos, J.M.S., Nissen, L.M. (2018). A spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down? A review of strategies for making pills easier to swallow. Patient Prefer Adherence. 12:1337–1346. Link
- Highlights of prescribing information: Cialis (tadalafil) tablets, for oral use. (2011). Food and Drug Administration. Link