How Chewable Tablets Improve Medication Compliance

That said, there are known side effects and contraindications associated with PDE5 inhibitors.

Frequently asked questions

Evolutionarily speaking, this is a good thing. PDE5 inhibitors allow cGMP to accumulate and relax those blood vessels.2 This should work whether you have too much PDE5 or too little cGMP. However, not all PDE-5 inhibitors act exactly the same way. Here’s a quick look at the characteristics of sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil, as an example:8 9 10 Which medication you ultimately choose will come down to a conversation with your doctor, including a consideration for whether you want to take a daily pill and be ready for sex at any time or only consume the medication as needed shortly before anticipated intercourse. For most men, the ED medications offered by BlueChew and Hims should be safe. These are generally mild for most users but can be clinically significant in certain populations.

Common side effects of PDE5 inhibitors include:4 Among these, vision disturbances may be the most concerning at first glance.

What to avoid

It’s worth noting that Hims chews come in little tins, with all of the chews together. BlueChew provides its medications in individually wrapped packets. This is a small difference on the surface, but if you’re taking your chews out into the world with you, when traveling or in other circumstances where discretion is important, one or two slim packets will be easier to carry around than a slightly thicker tin. Here’s a quick comparison of the packet and the tin for thickness: Those BlueChew packets are no thicker than a single chewable dose, and they’re about the size of a sugar packet. Hims’ tin is about 0.75in thick, more than 3in long, and just over 2in wide.

How is BlueChew different from Viagra?

It’s not unfeasible that you could slip this into your pocket, but it’s definitely less convenient than the BlueChew alternative. BlueChew’s recently released daily tadalafil multivitamins also come in tins, but you don’t need to carry those around with you if you’re taking them once per day. The three main medications that either company offers in chewable form are well-researched and regarded as relatively safe.4 Their side effects have been thoroughly documented and exclude a few types of men from taking them, including those with cardiovascular conditions. That’s because PDE5 inhibitors effectively relax the muscles that control the diameter of blood vessels, resulting in wider pathways through which blood can flow. This can lower blood pressure, which may be dangerous for some patients.5 Men with low blood pressure or those on medications that already lower their blood pressure can be at risk for various complications when taking PDE5 inhibitors, especially at higher doses.

Is BlueChew covered by insurance?

Hims has some of these medications in tablet form that come in relatively low doses. Meanwhile, between the two companies’ chewable offerings, Hims’ lowest dose is higher than BlueChew’s lowest dose. That creates a slightly higher side effect risk for first-time PDE5 inhibitor users. Men who’ve established a relative dose for their PDE5 regimen and want to try switching to a chewable form of the medication should examine either company’s dosages and stick with what’s been working for them. As an additional safety note, we were concerned about the Hims tin being too easily accessed by a child or even an unsuspecting adult. But while the vision disturbances associated with PDE5 inhibitors include blurred vision, ocular pain, and alterations in light perception, one of the most common disturbances is an added bluish or

• Sildenafil 45 mg chewables enhance sexual performance temporarily.
• Take into account your overall health before use.
• Always adhere to your healthcare provider’s advice.
• Do not take more frequently than prescribed.
• The medication helps increase blood flow to the penis.
• Consult your doctor before starting or stopping treatment.
• Avoid taking with heavy meals for quicker action.
• Use with caution if you have eye or ear conditions.
• Be aware that side effects may include sleep disturbances.
• Ensure medications are stored out of reach of children.
• Do not consume alcohol or recreational drugs with this medication.
• Seek medical attention if adverse reactions occur.

greenish tinge to vision, which fades as the medicine leaves the body.11 The most significant health risk associated with PDE5 inhibitors comes from the role they play in regulating blood flow.

• Sildenafil chewables provide an alternative to pill form.
• They are discreet and easy to dose accurately.
• Not for use by women or children.
• Avoid combining with nitrates for safety reasons.
• The timing around sexual activity is flexible but important.
• Effects may vary based on individual health variables.
• Follow your doctor’s instructions closely.
• Always complete a consultation before use.
• Be aware of potential interactions with other medicines.
• Regular medical checkups can monitor efficacy.
• Storage in a cool and dry place preserves quality.
• Do not share medication with others.

Because these medications cause your blood vessels to relax, they typically lower your blood pressure. There’s some evidence that daily tadalafil may have a small effect in lowering blood pressure, which could benefit men with untreated hypertension.12 But if you don’t have high blood pressure, or you’re already on medication for

Chemical synthesis

But we were pleased to find a kind of child lock built into the tin that requires you to squeeze one section of it to slide it open. It isn’t perfect, but it’s a big step in a safer direction. Here’s a brief summary of the comparison from urologist Dr. Kelepurovski: “If you’re looking for a comprehensive telehealth platform, especially one that goes beyond ED to address skin, hair, or mental health concerns, Hims may be a useful starting point.” He adds, “As usual, it is always advisable to visit a doctor who will assess your entire medical history before making any treatment decision.” BlueChew and Hims are male-oriented telehealth companies offering prescription medications to help fight erectile dysfunction (ED). Both allow you to get a prescription online and have medication shipped directly to your home.

Erectile dysfunction

Previously, BlueChew was the only one of the two companies to offer its ED medications as chewables, increasing their portability and convenience since you wouldn’t need a glass of water to take them. Hims has caught up in that effort and now offers its own line of chewable ED meds, though there are important differences between it and BlueChew’s. Hims also offers traditional pill-form ED medications, while BlueChew does not. And Hims has a much wider range of other telehealth offerings, including mental health care, premature ejaculation treatment, and more, which we will briefly address after our main comparison of ED medication product offerings. Between the two companies, Hims has slightly better ratings than BlueChew on Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website.

How much does BlueChew cost?

However, BlueChew’s ratings come from a somewhat smaller number of reviews (under 2,000 across both sites compared to more than 14,000 for Hims). Much of this quantitative difference stems from the wide array of offerings Hims has and the fact that its BBB page is a combined page shared between Hims and its sister site, Hers. Currently, Hims holds a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars on BBB and 3 out of 5 stars on Trustpilot. BlueChew’s ratings are currently 1.19 and 3.9 on those sites, respectively. It’s worth noting that Hims has nearly 10,000 reviews, while BlueChew has only 27 via BBB and a little under 2,000 via Trustpilot. it, adding a PDE5 inhibitor to the mix can result in a pressure drop that could be dangerous.5

• Sildenafil chewables come in flavored options for better taste.
• Use only as prescribed; overdosing can be dangerous.
• The medication increases blood flow to the penile tissue.
• Do not take with nitrate medications due to risk of hypotension.
• It is not a cure but improves erectile function temporarily.
• Onset of effects typically occurs within 30-60 minutes.
• Duration of effect lasts approximately 4-6 hours.
• Avoid fatty meals before taking as it may delay absorption.
• Consult a healthcare professional before starting sildenafil.
• Report any vision changes or hearing loss promptly.
• Not recommended for use by women or children.
• Some medications can interact with sildenafil, check with your doctor.

PDE5 inhibitors pose the risks above; hence, they are prescription-only, and healthcare providers are responsible for determining suitability.

Like Viagra, the Cialis patent expired several years ago, allowing far less expensive generic options to hit the market.

How to get BlueChew:

For Hims, most complaints revolve around confusing billing practices, unclear subscription parameters, and some treatments proving unsuccessful for users. For BlueChew, complaints seem to focus on occasional issues with efficacy and subscription cancellation. Our sildenafil citrates testing experiences with these companies have been very similar. We’ve had quick, easy consultations with Hims and BlueChew-affiliated physicians, and our subscriptions were always easy to manage and cancel. BlueChew and Hims are both outstanding choices for men seeking prescription treatment for ED, especially those who don’t want to risk the potential embarrassment of seeking such medications in person.

What to do in the event of an overdose

Both companies offer legitimate prescriptions provided with discretion. Hims is also a good choice for men seeking treatment for other men’s health concerns, ranging from premature ejaculation and hair loss to skin care and herpes management. Because BlueChew and Hims both offer vardenafil and chewable versions of three prominent PDE5 inhibitors, they also make sense as options for men who’ve tried traditional Viagra or Cialis in the past with mixed results. For men who’ve had issues with the effectiveness of either medication in tablet form, chewable formulations may offer improved absorption, though data on oral mucosal absorption of PDE5 inhibitors is limited. Of course, many people have trouble swallowing pills, which also makes chewable medication an appealing option.

Sildenafil Tablets for ED

And if you’ve tried sildenafil or tadalafil in the past without success or with certain side effects, vardenafil may prove to be a viable alternative. Because BlueChew and Hims offer prescription medications for ED, men looking to address their ED without medications won’t find much help from either company. And men who’ve tried sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil at high doses with no effect may need alternative treatment. PDE5 inhibitors have some specific risks and contraindications, as well. Certain cardiovascular issues and medications to control blood pressure are generally contraindicated and may compel prescribing physicians to decline the treatment due to safety.5 BlueChew and Hims both treat ED with prescription medications known as PDE5 inhibitors. Unlike Viagra’s sildenafil, however, it’s harder to make tidy comparisons in price and dose with tadalafil because it’s available as either an as-needed medication like sildenafil or a daily medication.

• Use sildenafil chewables consistently for best results.
• Confirm with your doctor if you are taking other prescribed drugs.
• Avoid recreational drugs that can interact adversely.
• The medication can cause a drop in blood pressure.
• Side effects may include nausea, stomach upset, or rash.
• Do not take sildenafil if you have a history of vision problems.
• Keep unopened medication in its original container.
• Dispose of unused medication safely as advised.
• Do not consume grapefruit or products containing grapefruit.
• The medication should be used only by the person it was prescribed to.
• Remember to inform your doctor of all existing health issues.
• Timing is important for optimal efficacy and safety.

You can take tadalafil within about 30 minutes of intercourse and expect to be able to achieve an erection with sufficient arousal for 18-36 hours post-dose.

Further information

Before diving into how these medications work, let's briefly review the physiology of an erection. Your body typically creates both cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE5) in regular balance.6 A certain amount of cGMP maintains a relaxation in the muscles controlling your blood vessel constriction, and PDE5 helps wash out cGMP so it doesn’t build up. When you get aroused, your body produces extra cGMP, which results in a relaxation of the muscles that control blood vessel constriction, especially in the penis. That increases blood flow to the penis, causing an erection.7 After climax, your body increases its production of PDE5, which returns your cGMP levels to normal. Blood flow decreases and your erection goes away.