BlueChew: How It Works, Pros and Cons, Precautions

Prescription treatments for erectile dysfunction like Viagra and Cialis revolutionized the treatment of the condition, finally offering many patients the medication they need to get and keep an erection strong enough for sex. 

Unfortunately, some patients quickly discovered that these commercially available treatments still didn’t work for them as a result of their medical history, drug interactions, or other factors. 

BlueChew is a revolutionary telehealth service that was created to address exactly this problem. If you’re interested in exploring whether BlueChew might work for you, here’s what you need to know about how it works, pros and cons, and precautions.

What is BlueChew?

BlueChew.com is an online telehealth company that is specifically geared towards helping patients experiencing erectile dysfunction who cannot tolerate commercially available prescription medications for the condition, do not want to deal with the hassle and embarrassment of an in-person doctor’s visit, and want to improve their chance of experiencing a stronger erection and an enhanced sex life.

BlueChew creates chewable compounded tablets from the same active ingredients as those found in Viagra (sildenafil) and Cialis (tadalafil). The compounded formula is specially formulated to improve the likelihood that patients who cannot tolerate commercially available formulas and strengths are able to use BlueChew’s products to achieve a stronger erection. 

How BlueChew Works

BlueChew connects erectile dysfunction patients with licensed healthcare and medical providers and compounding pharmacies. All of BlueChew’s healthcare providers are licensed in the United States, and patients are connected to a provider that is licensed in their state. 

The first step in using BlueChew is a consultation and questionnaire that is conducted online to evaluate a patient’s medical history and compatibility with erectile dysfunction drugs. Because the active ingredients in erectile dysfunction medications can be associated with dangerous side effects, it’s critical to ensure that only individuals with a suitable medical history are prescribed the drugs through a professional health assessment. 

When using BlueChew, you won’t have to deal with waiting rooms or appointments.  Patients upload a photo of their face and a copy of a government-issued form of ID in order to confirm their identity and then provide a review of their medical history. 

Depending on which state you live in, a video chat with a licensed medical professional may be required. An online doctor will review your profile within one to two business days and prescribe your medication if deemed medically appropriate.

Although the healthcare provider makes a recommendation on the type and strength of the medication to be prescribed, the patient can choose how many ED pills they would like to receive each month. The medication is then shipped directly to the patient’s home for free in discreet packaging. Unless the patient changes or cancels their order, the product continues to ship at the same quantity and strength on a monthly basis.

Pros and Cons of BlueChew

While there are a growing number of men’s telehealth providers that offer erectile dysfunction treatment, BlueChew’s business model is decidedly unique and is associated with a number of pros and cons.

Pros

Pros associated with BlueChew include:

• Men who are unable to tolerate commercially available erectile dysfunction medications may be able to use BlueChew’s chewable compounded tablets to achieve a harder erection.
• Patients do not have to visit a doctor’s office in person and may not have to video chat with a healthcare provider.
• Patients may use the pharmacy of their choice or one of BlueChew’s pharmacy partners.
• BlueChew services are available at 50 to 80 percent off the retail cost of traditional sildenafil and tadalafil, making them more accessible and affordable for customers.
• Online consultation is free.
• BlueChew tablets are chewable, meaning patients do not have to swallow pills.
• Monthly refills are shipped automatically.
• BlueChew active plans start at as little as 20 dollars per month plus shipping and tax.
• All medical information is kept private and secure and is held on a HIPAA-compliant server.
• Patients don’t have to deal with an awkward doctor’s visit.
• Patients can choose between sildenafil and tadalafil compounded chewable tablets.

Cons

Cons associated with BlueChew include:

• BlueChew is not available in all 50 states or internationally. BlueChew is currently not available in Alabama, North Dakota, South Carolina, Puerto Rico, Canada, or internationally.
• BlueChew formulas are not individually approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction.
• BlueChew products are not covered by health insurance.
• BlueChew products are only available in a chewable form, so patients do not have the option of choosing another form of their medication.
• Patients pay for the shipment of their medication. The pricing for shipping depends on the selected shipping speed. 
• Treatments cannot be returned or refunded. 
• BlueChew does not offer commercially available erectile dysfunction medications for patients who prefer a traditional option.
• BlueChew does not offer compounded treatments derived from the active ingredients of other erectile dysfunction medications like Levitra (vardenafil) and Stendra (avanafil).

BlueChew Precautions

Although the products offered by BlueChew differ from commercially available erectile dysfunction medications in terms of their formula, they are still associated with many of the same precautions as traditional erectile dysfunction medications. 

Sildenafil and tadalafil can both cause allergic reactions in patients who are allergic to the medication. 

Patients should seek emergency medical help if they notice any of the following symptoms of an allergic reaction:

• Rash
• Red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin with or without fever
• Tightness in the chest or throat
• Unusual hoarseness
• Itching
• Wheezing
• Trouble swallowing, breathing, or talking
• Swelling of the mouth, lips, throat, face, or tongue

Sildenafil

Sildenafil is associated with some side effects, including some that can be serious. While patients who use BlueChew tablets may be better able to tolerate the formula than commercially available sildenafil, side effects may still occur. 

The side effects most commonly associated with sildenafil include:

• Nosebleeds
• Heartburn
• Flushing (feeling of warmth)
• Muscle aches
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Sensitivity to light
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Numbness, burning, or tingling in the arms, hands, feet, or legs

Other rarely reported, but serious, side effects requiring immediate medical attention include:

• Priapism - erections lasting longer than four hours
• Sudden hearing decrease, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears
• Stroke
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Rash
• Fainting
• Itching or burning during urination
• Chest pain
• Worsening shortness of breath
• Bleeding in the brain or lungs
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes, which is a symptom of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)
• Death 

Sildenafil is associated with a risk of potentially life-threatening cardiac events, including heart attack and stroke. Patients who have a history of heart problems are considered to be at a higher risk of experiencing these adverse events. 

Therefore, it is critical that BlueChew patients communicate openly and honestly about their medical history with their assigned provider.

Tadalafil

Tadalafil is associated with some side effects, including some that can be serious. While patients who use BlueChew tablets may be better able to tolerate the formula than commercially available Tadalafil, side effects may still occur. 

The side effects most commonly associated with tadalafil include:

• Indigestion
• Muscle aches
• Upset stomach
• Headache
• Back pain
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Nasal congestion or stuffy nose
• Pain in the limbs
• Flushing (feeling of warmth)

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of the following side effects of tadalafil while engaged in sexual activity:

• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Numbness, tingling, or pain in the jaw, arms, chest, or neck

Other rarely reported, but serious, side effects of tadalafil requiring immediate medical attention include:

• Priapism - erections lasting longer than four hours
• Sudden hearing decrease, hearing loss, or ringing in the ears
• Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes, which is a symptom of a serious eye problem called non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION)

Tadalafil is not associated with the same risk of adverse cardiac events as sildenafil. Therefore, it may be a more appropriate option for patients with a history of cardiac issues. 

However, tadalafil stays in the system longer than sildenafil, so patients taking certain types of medications that interact with tadalafil may not be able to use the drug safely. It’s important to give your healthcare provider a thorough list of any prescription and over the counter medications you may be taking.

Summary

BlueChew offers an online men’s telehealth service that provides men who cannot tolerate commercially available treatments for erectile dysfunction with treatments that may help improve their chance of getting and keeping a stronger erection. 

The service offers many benefits, including savings of 50 to 80 percent off of traditional sildenafil and tadalafil without the embarrassing and inconvenient trip to the doctor’s office for medical advice. BlueChew is not available in every state but is rapidly expanding based on existing telemedicine laws. 

Men can look into the subscription service online and also read the many positive BlueChew reviews available to check out what others think of the ED treatment.

Sources:

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-7418/sildenafil-oral/details 

https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-77875/tadalafil-oral/details 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/erectile-dysfunction/symptoms-causes/syc-20355776