BlueChew vs. Roman: Which Is Better?

*Prices listed as of July 2023

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.

Some states require a phone or video chat, and that will be scheduled if it’s necessary. Note that online visits cost $15. This fee is separate from the cost of your medication.

If a physician or nurse practitioner has determined that you’re a good candidate for telemedicine after your first online visit, you’ll be able to reach out through messaging, phone calls, or video conferences as you need them.

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.

As far as medications go, Roman offers sildenafil and tadalafil in pill form. They also offer brand name Viagra and Cialis. While these products are similar in terms of how they work and the side effects they can cause, dosing and pricing vary.

Having lots of options through Roman may be a good thing, as it can take some trial and error to figure out what works best for you. Your healthcare professional at Roman may recommend trying an ED medication a few times in different situations or changing the dosage.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is the generic version of Viagra. Roman sells both sildenafil and Viagra in doses of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. Sildenafil is available through Blue Chew in doses of 30 mg and 45 mg.

Tadalafil

Cialis and its generic version, tadalafil, can be taken as a single pill when needed or as a daily dose. If you intend to take it daily, you’ll be prescribed either the 2.5-mg or 5-mg dose. Roman sells brand-name Cialis in 5mg, 10mg, and 20mg doses and tadalafil (generic Cialis) in 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg doses. Blue Chew offers tadalafil in 6 mg and 9mg doses.

BlueChew offers chewable sildenafil and tadalafil tablets. Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra, while tadalafil is the active ingredient in Cialis. 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.

What’s important to understand about BlueChew tablets is that they’re compounded treatments that haven’t been independently approved by the FDA. However, they’re made with the same active ingredients as Viagra and Cialis, which are both FDA approved.

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.

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is designed to last between 4 and 6 hours. It’s prescribed for use as needed, which means it can be a good option if you’re planning for a sexual encounter. BlueChew offers sildenafil in doses of 30 mg and 45 mg, with monthly subscriptions of 6, 10, 17, and 34 chewable tablets.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil remains in the body for 24 to 36 hours. That can give you more flexibility or spontaneity for sex over a longer period. BlueChew offers this medication in doses of 6 mg and 9 mg. Monthly subscriptions are available for 4, 7, 14, and 28 chewable tablets.

Roman

Roman sends ED medications with free 2-day shipping. 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, 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 as of July 2023

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 6 tablets of 30 mg sildenafil. At most, you’ll spend $120 per month for 34 tablets of 45 mg sildenafil or 28 tablets of 9mg 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.

*Pricing as of July 2023

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 B rating on the website. As of July 2023, the company has an overall score of 1.75 out of 5 stars. Common complaints relate to billing and delivery issues, and service problems.

BlueChew currently has an A+ BBB rating. As of July 2023, there’s a 2.33 score out of 5 stars, and there are 4 customer complaints, related mostly to delivery issues.

Customer feedback is largely mixed for both BlueChew and Roman. In addition to third party review sites like Trustpilot, we also checked customer feedback on Reddit.

Roman

Roman has 170 reviews on Trustpilot as of July 2023. Customer complaints tend to focus on issues contacting customer service and shipping issues. Their overall rating is 3.2 out of 5 stars.

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

BlueChew has 22 reviews on Trustpilot, with a rating of 3.1 out of 5 stars as of July 2023. The reviewer’s complaints were about both the product and the customer service. BlueChew responded to one poor review and invited the unhappy customer to contact their support team for assistance.

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

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:

• rash
• skin flushing
• muscle aches
• sore throat
• back pain
• headache
• runny nose
• indigestion
• erection lasting longer than 4 hours
• blurry vision

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.

*Prices as of July 2023

How can you choose between Roman and BlueChew?

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.

Do you need a prescription to use Roman or BlueChew?

You don’t need an existing prescription to use Roman or BlueChew. On both platforms, physicians will write prescriptions if it’s considered safe and appropriate following your digital visits.

Are BlueChew treatments FDA approved?

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.

Are Roman treatments FDA approved?

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.

Where’s Roman available?

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.

Where’s BlueChew available?

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.

Is there a return policy for BlueChew and Roman?

Neither company accepts returns for prescription medications.

Are they FDA accredited?

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

When should you take the tablets?

Sildenafil should be taken 30 minutes to 4 hours before sexual activity. Tadalafil works best taken about 30 minutes before sexual activity.

Are there any risks (short term and long term) to taking these pills?

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.