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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. On the other hand, Roman 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.
| BlueChew | Roman | |
|---|---|---|
| Healthline Score | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| What it is | This 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 works | Complete 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. |
*Pricing is accurate at the time of publish.
How we evaluated these telehealth services
Since ED medications like Viagra and Cialis require a prescription, it was important to us that both companies offered customers an easy way to connect with a doctor through an online consultation.
Both companies had to undergo our thorough vetting process before being recommended on this page. During this process, a team of experts carefully evaluated both 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 evaluation process and scoring system for telehealth platforms, check out Healthline Scores: How We Evaluate Men’s Telehealth Platforms.
Roman is a robust online health service offering digital visits, contact-free delivery, and ongoing care to people experiencing ED and other health conditions. You must have visited a physician within the past 3 years to receive treatment.
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 similar time periods, about 4 to 6 hours in the bloodstream after taking them. Tadalafil, or Cialis, is the exception, as it remains in your bloodstream for up to 36 hours. The effects can last longer if taken daily in smaller doses, around 5 mg to 10 mg.
BlueChew tablets are a chewable form of ED medication. If you have difficulty swallowing capsules, they can be a good option. Depending on your insurance, they may also be less expensive.
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, dosage you’re prescribed, and 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.
*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 digital provider consultation, chewable tablets, and medical support.
The cheapest plan starts at $20* monthly for six tablets of 30 mg of sildenafil. At most, you’ll spend $120* monthly for 34 tablets of 45 mg sildenafil or 28 tablets of 9 mg tadalafil, plus shipping and tax. The most popular monthly plans are between $50 and $65*.
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.
*Pricing is accurate at the time of publish.
Both Roman and BlueChew are relatively young companies. We searched online and checked the
Roman has been in business since 2017. Roman is Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited and has an A+ rating on the website. As of August 2024, the company has an overall score of 1.28 out of 5 stars. Common complaints relate to billing and delivery issues, and service problems.
BlueChew currently has an A+ BBB rating. As of August 2024, there’s a score of 1.38 out of 5 stars. Customer complaints are mostly related 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 prescription or over-the-counter—so they can evaluate how new ED medications may interact with your current medications.
| Company | Healthline Score | ED medications available | Price* | Other products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueChew | 3.0/5 | • sildenafil • tadalafil • vardenafil | $20 to $120 per month for generic, chewable medication | none at this time |
| Roman | 4.0/5 | • Viagra • generic Viagra • sildenafil • Cialis • generic Cialis | • $20 to $90 for brand name • $4 to $44 for generic | medications to treat: • hair loss • eczema • genital herpes • testosterone deficiencies • allergies • dandruff • excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) |
| Hims | 4.3/5 | • Cialis • generic Cialis • Viagra • Stendra • generic Viagra | • $59 to $70 for brand name • $4 to $12 for generic | medications to treat: • anxiety and depression • premature ejaculation • hair loss • acne • cold sores • genital herpes • allergies • cold and flu |
| Lemonaid | 3.9/5 | • generic Viagra • generic Cialis • generic Stendra | • $2 to $8 for generic | medications to treat: • anxiety • depression • hair loss • cold sores • genital herpes • sinus infections • asthma • acid reflux • high blood pressure • migraine • high cholesterol |
*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.
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.
Both companies offer generic versions of the medications sildenafil and tadalafil. Each of these medications is FDA-approved to treat erectile dysfunction.
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.