Why Is BlueChew Not Working For Me?

You signed up, you got your discreet little package, you chewed the tablet — and… nothing?

If you’ve tried BlueChew and feel like it’s “not working,” don’t panic. You’re not alone, and more importantly, there are real reasons why this might happen.

The good news? Most of them have simple fixes.

Key Takeaways

• Timing matters — chewable sildenafil, vardenafil, and tadalafil work best 30–60 minutes after chewing, while sublingual formulations work in as little as 15 minutes.
• BlueChew won’t work without arousal — you still need sexual stimulation.
• Food, alcohol, and lifestyle habits can blunt effects.
• Sexual performance anxiety is a real cock blocker — stress relief techniques may help.
• Dose adjustments or switching medications often turn “non-responders” into responders.
• Medical conditions (like diabetes or high blood pressure) and certain meds (like SSRIs) can affect results.
• Your provider can help you troubleshoot and find your best fit.

1. Timing Might Be Off

BlueChew’s medications (sildenafil, tadalafil, or vardenafil) each have their own “sweet spot” for timing. This typically varies based on the formulation (chewable, sublingual, or liquid).

• Chewable SIL, VAR, and TAD usually work 30–60 minutes after you chew them. Although some research has shown that chewable medications may work as quickly as 15 minutes for some men.
• Sublingual medications like GOLD, MAX, and VMAX typically begin working in as little as 15 minutes.

Some men metabolize these drugs faster or slower, depending on liver enzymes and gut absorption. Research has found that sildenafil typically reaches peak plasma concentration in 30 minutes, while some studies have found it can work in as little as 12 minutes for some men.

Pro tip: if you pop a tablet and expect instant results, you might just be ahead of schedule. Give it a little time to kick in.

2. You Still Need Sexual Stimulation

BlueChew isn’t magic — it doesn’t cause an erection on its own.

PDE5 inhibitors (the active ingredients in BlueChew’s medications) work by enhancing blood flow to the penis when you’re sexually aroused. This review of the science behind nitric oxide and erections shows that sexual arousal triggers the release of nitric oxide in penile tissue, and PDE5 inhibitors simply make that process more efficient.

Without arousal, the medication has nothing to enhance.

Translation: you need foreplay, flirting, and sexual stimulation for things to get going.

3. Food, Alcohol, and Other Factors

A heavy, fatty meal before SIL or VAR? Based on research, this can slow down absorption. In fact, eating a meal high in fat was shown to delay the effects of sildenafil up to 1 hour.

Too much alcohol? That also can affect your ability to get or keep an erection, no matter what’s in your system. According to research, drinking alcohol increases oxidative stress, can cause tissue dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and nerve and vessel changes that can all contribute to erectile dysfunction. Plus, excessive alcohol consumption has been tied to a higher risk of developing ED.

What does this all mean? Lifestyle choices matter.

Pro tip: take a look at your choices before you take your BlueChew. If you’re eating a greasy meal or drinking one too many beers, you may be sabotaging the medication's effectiveness.

4. Anxiety or Expectations

Performance anxiety is one of the top psychological reasons erectile medications feel “ineffective.” Stress activates your sympathetic nervous system, which raises cortisol and adrenaline — both of which constrict blood vessels and make it harder to get or maintain an erection, even if you’ve taken BlueChew

Based on this review on sexual performance anxiety, up to 25% of men experience performance anxiety, and it’s strongly linked with psychogenic erectile dysfunction. In other words, worrying about your performance can directly block the very process BlueChew is designed to support.

The good news? Stress management techniques can help.

Evidence shows that yoga, breathwork, and mindfulness practices may improve erectile function by reducing stress and enhancing blood flow. In fact, a 2024 scoping review on yoga for sexual dysfunction found significant improvements in erectile function after structured yoga programs, with benefits often showing up in as little as 12 weeks.

Pro tip: Don’t underestimate the mental side. Simple breathwork, mindfulness, or even a pre-sex yoga session can help calm your nervous system, reduce anxiety, and make BlueChew more effective.

5. The Dose May Need Adjustment

Everyone metabolizes medication differently. Sometimes, the first prescribed strength isn’t enough. Proper dose optimization can make a real difference.

Based on a 2020 review, raising the dose of sildenafil (up to 200 mg in some cases) made around 24.1% of initial non-responders respond positively to the drug.

Also, in another study, after providing proper instructions and dose up-titration (some used 50 mg, others 100 mg), 31 out of 100 non-responders became responders.

Pro tip: If you’ve tried your current dose a few times as directed and still don’t see results, talk to your provider about increasing the dose. BlueChew offers various dosages of our classic medications like SIL (30 mg or 45 mg) and TAD (6 mg and 9 mg). We also offer combination therapy with MAX and VMAX, combining two PDE5 inhibitors for stronger support, clinically demonstrated to improve response rates.

Sometimes, just a small bump in dosage or an extra layer of support can turn things around.

6. Medical Conditions and Medications

Sometimes the issue isn’t you — it’s what your body’s dealing with (or what you’re taking) that changes how well BlueChew works.

Based on this 2022 study on PDE5 inhibitor efficacy in diabetic patients, men who have diabetes often have reduced response rates — because diabetes damages blood vessels and nerves, which are necessary for a strong erection even if the PDE5 inhibitor is working.

Also, other health conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, or long-term vascular damage can reduce how sensitive you are to BlueChew’s medications. Research points out that if your blood glucose, blood pressure, or lipids are uncontrolled, even a good dose of BlueChew might not hit its full potential.

Then there are medications themselves: SSRIs (e.g., paroxetine, fluoxetine) are known to cause sexual side-effects, including erectile dysfunction. Based on this review of sexual dysfunction in SSRI users, SSRIs can increase the risk of ED or reduce erection quality. If you’re taking these, it may take more work, alternative medications, or combination therapy to get the full effect.

Pro Tip: If you have conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol, or you’re taking meds like SSRIs, your response to BlueChew may be weaker. Keeping your health in check (and talking with your provider about medication side effects) can make BlueChew more effective.

When to Reach Out for Help

If you’ve given BlueChew a fair shot — meaning you’ve tried the medication several times under the right conditions (timing, stimulation, not mixed with heavy meals or too much alcohol) — and you’re still not getting the results you want, it’s time to check in with your provider.

Your BlueChew provider can:

• Adjust your prescription strength to find your ideal dose
• Switch you to a different PDE5 inhibitor if one option isn’t a good fit
• Discuss combination options (like MAX, VMAX, and GOLD) that have been clinically shown to improve results in some men
• Look at whether other health issues or medications could be interfering

Don’t think of this as failure — think of it as fine-tuning. Most men find the right formula after a little troubleshooting with their provider.

Final Thoughts

Not getting the results you expected from BlueChew can feel frustrating, but it doesn’t mean the medication “doesn’t work for you.”

Erections are the result of a delicate balance between blood flow, hormones, nerves, lifestyle, and mental health — and PDE5 inhibitors are just one piece of the puzzle.

Fortunately, with the right timing, dose, mindset, and provider support, most men do see major improvements.

If you’re still struggling, don’t give up — talk to your provider about adjustments or combination options.

For most men, just a small change can make all the difference.

How To Get Medication Through BlueChew

Interested in getting your hands on a prescription for erectile dysfunction medications? BlueChew has got you covered.

Select a plan, complete an online intake, and you’re done. A medical provider will review your information and, if appropriate, prescribe your plan, which will be shipped directly to your door.

No doctor appointments or patient support charges make it a stress-free experience.

With plans starting as low as $25 per month, BlueChew can fit into anyone’s budget. Plus, there’s no commitment—you can easily cancel or switch plans anytime.
Click here to explore all plan options for treatments at BlueChew.

FAQs

What if BlueChew worked once but not again?

That’s actually common. Variables like stress, sleep, alcohol, and meal timing can all impact how well the medication works on any given day. If it happens repeatedly, check with your provider.

Can I take BlueChew with alcohol?

Light to moderate drinking is usually fine, but heavy alcohol use can reduce the effectiveness of PDE5 inhibitors and make erections harder to achieve.

What if I’m on antidepressants or other meds?

Certain drugs — especially SSRIs and some blood pressure meds — can affect erections. Your provider can help you figure out if medication interactions are at play and suggest alternatives.

Is combination therapy safe?

BlueChew offers safe, provider-guided combination options (like MAX and VMAX) for men who don’t get the results they want from a single PDE5 inhibitor. Don’t combine medications on your own — always do it under medical guidance.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The content provided here is not a substitute for, and should never be relied upon as, professional medical advice. Always consult your doctor to discuss the risks, benefits, and appropriateness of any treatment. BlueChew offers compounded medications prescribed solely for the treatment of erectile dysfunction and sexual performance enhancement. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved.

References

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3. Dhaliwal A, Gupta M. PDE5 Inhibitor. PubMed. Published April 10, 2023. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK549843/
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10. Cai Z, Song X, Zhang J, Yang B, Li H. Practical Approaches to Treat ED in PDE5i Nonresponders. Aging and Disease. 2020;11(5):1202. doi:https://doi.org/10.14336/ad.2019.1028
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13. Agnieszka Swiecicka. The Efficacy of PDE5 Inhibitors in Diabetic Patients. Andrology. 2022;11(2):245-256. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/andr.13328
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