A bluechew vs viagra comparison can feel confusing at first. The medications seem similar, the prices are very different, and the way you get them is not the same at all. Once you break it down into smaller parts, it gets much easier to see what might fit your life, your budget, and your comfort level.
Below, you will find a clear, side by side look at what BlueChew and Viagra offer, how they work, and what you should think about before talking with a doctor.
Start with the basics
Both BlueChew and Viagra are used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED). They work by improving blood flow to your penis, which helps you get and keep an erection when you are sexually aroused.
BlueChew is a subscription service that sends chewable ED medications to your door. The chewables contain active ingredients that are already FDA approved for ED, such as sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, but the BlueChew chewable formulas themselves are compounded products and are not FDA approved as finished medications (Medical News Today). You complete an online consultation, and if you are approved, a provider writes a prescription that a partner compounding pharmacy fills and ships to you.
Viagra is a brand name prescription tablet that contains sildenafil. It is swallowed as a pill and is fully FDA approved for ED. You usually get it after an in person or telehealth visit and pick it up from a pharmacy.
Compare active ingredients and forms
A good place to start your bluechew vs viagra comparison is with what is actually in the medication and how you take it.
BlueChew offers three active ingredients:
- Sildenafil, the same active ingredient that is in Viagra
- Tadalafil, the same active ingredient that is in Cialis
- Vardenafil, the same active ingredient that is in Levitra
All of these are PDE5 inhibitors, a class of drugs that help relax blood vessels and boost blood flow to the penis. They require sexual stimulation to work, which means you still need to be aroused for them to have an effect (Medical News Today).
Viagra only comes as sildenafil in a swallowable tablet. You can usually get it in 25 mg, 50 mg, or 100 mg tablets (Healthline).
BlueChew, on the other hand, provides:
- Chewable sildenafil in 30 mg and 45 mg tablets
- Chewable tadalafil and vardenafil in set strengths chosen by the service
If you dislike swallowing pills or have trouble doing so, you may find the chewable form more comfortable to use. BlueChew’s chewables are not individually FDA approved as products, but the active ingredients inside them are approved for ED treatment (Healthline).
How quickly they work and how long they last
Timing is a big part of choosing an ED medication. You want to know how long before sex you should take it, and how much flexibility you will have for the rest of the evening or weekend.
Sildenafil, in both Viagra and BlueChew’s standard sildenafil chewables, usually:
- Starts working in about 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Lasts roughly 4 to 6 hours
- Can be less effective if you have just eaten a high fat meal (BlueChew)
Tadalafil, which you can get through BlueChew, behaves differently:
- Starts working in 30 minutes to 1 hour
- Can last 24 to 36 hours
- Is not affected by food intake
- Can be taken on demand or as a daily medication in some dosing plans (BlueChew)
Vardenafil, also available from BlueChew, tends to:
- Start working within 10 to 60 minutes
- Last about 4 to 6 hours
- Be roughly ten times more potent than sildenafil on a milligram basis
- Have more selective enzyme targeting, which may reduce certain side effects like vision changes, although individual experiences vary (BlueChew)
If your schedule is unpredictable and you prefer spontaneity, tadalafil’s long duration can give you a wider window for sex. If you prefer a shorter, more predictable window, sildenafil or vardenafil might fit better (BlueChew).
A closer look at BlueChew GOLD vs standard Viagra
BlueChew also offers a product called BlueChew GOLD. It uses sildenafil plus tadalafil in a sublingual form. You place it under your tongue instead of swallowing it.
Because it is absorbed through the tissues under your tongue instead of your digestive system, the sildenafil in BlueChew GOLD can start working in as little as 15 minutes in some people (BlueChew). That means less waiting after you decide to have sex.
By comparison, oral Viagra usually:
- Starts working in 30 to 60 minutes
- Needs to be planned ahead a bit
- Can be slowed down by a high fat meal because it goes through your digestive system (BlueChew)
BlueChew GOLD also includes tadalafil, which can support erections for up to 36 hours. This can give you more flexibility for multiple sexual encounters over one or two days and may help reduce performance anxiety since the waiting period between desire and response is shorter (BlueChew).
Cost and value for your budget
For many men, cost is a major part of the bluechew vs viagra comparison. The price difference can be significant.
Brand name Viagra is one of the most expensive ED medications. Estimates from BlueChew’s own cost comparisons suggest:
- An average price of about 91 dollars per Viagra tablet
- Roughly 2,730 dollars for a typical month’s supply
- More than 32,000 dollars over a full year at that rate (BlueChew)
BlueChew positions itself as a lower cost alternative:
- Plans start at about 25 dollars per month
- Chewables can cost as little as 2 to 3 dollars per dose in some plans (BlueChew)
- A 34 pack of sildenafil chewables runs around 90 dollars, or about 2.60 dollars per pill
- That works out to roughly 30 times less per dose than brand name Viagra at the prices BlueChew cites (BlueChew)
BlueChew also bundles several services into one subscription price. Your monthly fee typically includes:
- Online medical provider review
- Prescription, if you are approved
- Compounded medication
- Discreet shipping to your home
With Viagra, these costs are usually separate. You pay for the office visit or telehealth appointment, then you pay the pharmacy price, and you might have to pay extra if you want mail delivery. BlueChew advertises this as a more streamlined and transparent pricing model (BlueChew).
In simple terms, brand name Viagra is usually much more expensive per dose. BlueChew can be more affordable, especially if you use ED medication regularly and value bundled services.
Convenience and how you get the medication
Access is another key piece of the puzzle, especially if you prefer privacy.
With Viagra you usually:
- Schedule an appointment with a doctor or use a telehealth service
- Talk about your symptoms and health history
- Receive a prescription if it is safe and appropriate
- Go to a pharmacy to pick up the medication
With BlueChew you:
- Fill out an online health questionnaire
- Have your information reviewed by a licensed medical provider
- Get a prescription through BlueChew if you are a good candidate
- Receive the medication from a compounding pharmacy straight to your door (Medical News Today, Healthline)
For many men, avoiding in person visits and pharmacy lines feels easier and more private. The trade off is that BlueChew’s compounded formulations are not FDA approved, even though the active ingredients are. You will need to decide how comfortable you are with that difference (Healthline).
Safety, side effects, and FDA status
No matter which option you consider, it is important to think about safety and not just price and convenience.
Because Viagra and BlueChew’s sildenafil both contain sildenafil, they share the same potential side effects. These can include:
- Headache
- Flushing
- Nasal congestion
- Indigestion
More serious but rare side effects can include sudden changes in vision, hearing problems, chest pain, or an erection that will not go away. Any sudden vision changes or erections lasting more than 4 hours require immediate medical attention (BlueChew).
You should also avoid PDE5 inhibitors like sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil if you:
- Take nitrate medications for chest pain
- Have certain serious heart conditions
- Are told by a doctor that sexual activity is not safe for you
One important difference in a bluechew vs viagra comparison is FDA approval status.
- Viagra is fully FDA approved as a brand name medication for ED
- The active ingredients in BlueChew medications are FDA approved, but the specific chewable formulations and doses that BlueChew sells do not have separate FDA approval
- BlueChew’s medications are compounded by pharmacies to create convenient chewable forms at specific strengths, and users are advised to speak with a doctor about whether this is appropriate and safe for them, especially if they have underlying medical conditions (Healthline)
If you prefer a medication that has full FDA approval as a finished product, Viagra and its generic equivalents fit that preference. If you are comfortable with a compounded product that uses the same active ingredients, BlueChew may still be an option.
Side by side summary
Here is a quick comparison you can scan as you weigh your options:
| Feature | BlueChew | Viagra |
|---|---|---|
| Active ingredient | Sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil | Sildenafil only |
| Form | Chewable tablets, some sublingual (GOLD) | Swallowable tablets |
| FDA status | Active ingredients FDA approved, compounded chewables themselves are not | Fully FDA approved brand medication |
| Onset time | About 10 to 60 minutes depending on ingredient, GOLD can be as fast as 15 minutes | About 30 to 60 minutes (BlueChew) |
| Duration | 4 to 6 hours for sildenafil and vardenafil, up to 24 to 36 hours for tadalafil | About 4 to 6 hours |
| Food effect | Standard sildenafil may be slowed by high fat meals, GOLD is not affected | High fat meals can delay absorption (BlueChew) |
| How you get it | Online consultation, shipped to your door | Prescription from provider, filled at pharmacy |
| Typical cost | Starts around 25 dollars per month, about 2 to 3 dollars per dose in some plans | About 91 dollars per pill at the prices cited by BlueChew (BlueChew) |
How to decide what is right for you
When you look at your own bluechew vs viagra comparison, focus on how you live, what matters most to you, and what your medical history looks like. It can help to ask yourself a few clear questions before you talk with a provider:
- Do you need full FDA approval of the finished product to feel comfortable, or are you okay with a compounded chewable that uses FDA approved ingredients?
- Would you rather have the privacy and convenience of an online service, or are you fine with going to a local doctor and pharmacy?
- How important is cost over the long term if you expect to use ED medication regularly?
- Do you prefer a shorter window of action for planned sex, or a longer lasting medication so you can be more spontaneous?
- Do you have any heart conditions, take nitrates, or have other health issues that you should discuss in detail before using any ED medication?
You do not have to make this choice alone. A healthcare provider who understands your full medical history can walk you through these options and help you weigh the benefits and risks. You can also bring up specific questions about BlueChew’s compounded status versus brand name Viagra and how that might matter for you.
ED is common and treatable, and seeking help is a positive step. With a clear understanding of how BlueChew and Viagra compare, you are better prepared to have a direct, practical conversation with a doctor and choose an option that supports your health, your confidence, and your relationships.