Ro Review: Sparks, Viagra, and Sildenafil - What to Know Before Buying

Ro Review: What to Know Before Buying

Ro (formerly Roman) is a telehealth platform offering prescription medications for weight loss, sexual health, hair loss, and skin care. Its ED lineup includes FDA-approved generic and brand-name medications as well as two proprietary compounded products: Ro Sparks, a sublingual combination lozenge, and Daily Rise Gummies, a chewable daily tadalafil option.

Sildenafil and tadalafil, the active ingredients in Ro's ED products, are FDA-approved for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Ro Sparks and Daily Rise Gummies are compounded formulations. They are not FDA-approved as finished drug products, but use individually FDA-approved active ingredients.

This article reviews Ro's ED products, how they work, their cost, and their pros and cons, and compares them with alternative treatments to help you decide whether Ro is right for you.

This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. If you have questions or concerns about your condition or treatment, please consult a healthcare provider.

What Is Ro?

What it is: Ro is a US-based telehealth company that connects patients with licensed healthcare providers through an online platform. After completing a medical questionnaire, a provider reviews your information and, if appropriate, issues a prescription that is filled and shipped to your home. Ro is available in all 50 states.

What it offers for ED: Ro's sexual health lineup includes sildenafil (generic for Viagra®) and tadalafil tablets, brand-name Viagra and Cialis, Ro Sparks (a 2-in-1 sublingual lozenge), and Daily Rise Gummies (a daily tadalafil chew). Ro also offers Roman Swipes, an OTC benzocaine wipe, and prescription sertraline for premature ejaculation.

How much it costs: Generic sildenafil starts at $4/dose. Ro Sparks starts at $48/mo. Daily Rise Gummies start at $69/mo. See the pricing section below for details.

Pros: Multiple ED product formats; sublingual option for faster onset; gummy format for daily tadalafil; PE treatments available.

Cons: The tadalafil dose in Sparks (22 mg) exceeds the FDA's maximum recommended dose for ED; compounded products are not FDA-approved.

Good for: Men who want a range of ED formats through one platform, including sublingual and gummy options alongside standard generics.

Not ideal for: Men focused primarily on cost, those who prefer FDA-approved finished drug products only, or men new to ED medication who may do better starting with lower-dose monotherapy.

Ro's ED and Sexual Health Offerings

Sildenafil (Generic for Viagra®)

Sildenafil is the active ingredient in Viagra. Ro offers it as a standard oral tablet.

How it works: A PDE5 inhibitor that enhances blood flow to the penis during sexual stimulation, making it easier to achieve and maintain an erection.

Available dosages: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg

How to take it: As needed, approximately 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity

How fast it works and how long it lasts: 30 to 60 minutes onset; effects last approximately 4 to 6 hours

Starting price: Starting at $4/dose

Tadalafil (Generic for Cialis®)

Tadalafil is available from Ro in both as-needed and daily formulations.

Available dosages: 2.5 mg and 5 mg (daily); 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg (as-needed)

How it works: A PDE5 inhibitor with a longer half-life than sildenafil. As-needed doses can last up to 36 hours. Daily low-dose use maintains a steady concentration in the bloodstream for ongoing readiness.

How to take it: Daily (2.5 mg or 5 mg) at the same time each day, or as needed (10 to 20 mg) approximately 30 to 60 minutes before sexual activity

Starting price: Starting at $8/dose

Branded Viagra and Branded Cialis

Ro offers brand-name Viagra and Cialis for patients who prefer them. The active ingredients and mechanisms are identical to their generic counterparts.

Branded Viagra: Starting at $90/dose

Branded Cialis: Starting at $20/dose (5 mg)

Ro Sparks

Ro Sparks is Ro's compounded sublingual lozenge combining sildenafil and tadalafil. It is placed under the tongue and dissolves in approximately 10 minutes.

Ingredients (per lozenge): Sildenafil 55 mg + tadalafil 22 mg

A note on dosing: The tadalafil dose in Ro Sparks (22 mg) is above the FDA's maximum recommended single dose for ED (20 mg). Both doses are on the higher end and are not typically recommended as a starting point for men new to PDE5 inhibitors.

Formulation: Sublingual lozenge; compounded, not FDA-approved as a finished drug

How to take it: Place under the tongue approximately 15 to 30 minutes before sexual activity; allow to fully dissolve before eating or drinking

How fast it works and how long it lasts: Effects can begin in as little as 15 minutes after the lozenge dissolves; duration up to 36 hours

Dose plans:

• 4x dose plan: Starting at $48/mo
• 6x dose plan: Starting at $72/mo
• 8x dose plan: Starting at $96/mo
• 10x dose plan: Starting at $120/mo Quarterly plans are offered at a $15 discount every 3 months.

Daily Rise Gummies

Daily Rise Gummies are Ro's compounded daily tadalafil option in a chewable format.

Active ingredient: Tadalafil 7 mg

Formulation: Chewable gummy; compounded, not FDA-approved as a finished drug

How to take it: One gummy daily, with or without food, at the same time each day

Starting price: Starting at $69/mo (3-month supply, 90 doses); $89/mo (1-month supply, 30 doses)

Roman Swipes (OTC, Premature Ejaculation)

Roman Swipes are over-the-counter wipes containing 4% benzocaine designed to reduce penile sensitivity and help delay ejaculation. Available without a prescription.

Sertraline (Prescription, Premature Ejaculation)

Ro can prescribe sertraline off-label for PE. SSRIs like sertraline delay ejaculation by increasing serotonin activity, which slows the ejaculatory reflex.

How Does Ro Work?

Ro's standard tablets and compounded products all use sildenafil and/or tadalafil, both PDE5 inhibitors. They work by blocking phosphodiesterase type 5, which normally breaks down cyclic GMP (cGMP) in the penis. By blocking PDE5, these medications allow cGMP to accumulate, relaxing smooth muscle in the penile arteries and increasing blood flow during sexual stimulation. PDE5 inhibitors do not create erections independently. They enhance the body's natural response to sexual arousal.

Side Effects of Ro ED Medications

Common side effects of PDE5 inhibitors:

• Headache
• Flushing
• Nasal congestion
• Upset stomach or indigestion
• Dizziness
• Muscle or back pain
• Temporary vision changes (blue tint or increased light sensitivity)

Rare but serious side effects:

• Sudden hearing or vision loss
• Severely low blood pressure
• Priapism (an erection lasting more than four hours) requires immediate medical attention

PDE5 inhibitors should not be combined with nitrates, other ED medications, or certain blood pressure medications. The higher-than-standard doses in Ro Sparks may increase the likelihood of side effects.

How to Get a Prescription Through Ro

Ro's prescription products are accessed through a free online consultation. You complete a medical questionnaire that a licensed Ro-affiliated provider reviews. If eligible, a prescription is issued and your medication is shipped home. Some states may require a video call.

How Much Does Ro Cost?

• Generic sildenafil: Starting at $4/dose
• Generic tadalafil: Starting at $8/dose
• Branded Viagra: Starting at $90/dose
• Branded Cialis: Starting at $20/dose
• Ro Sparks (4x dose plan): Starting at $48/mo
• Daily Rise Gummies: Starting at $69/mo Ro does not accept insurance for most products. Total cost varies based on number of doses and shipping frequency.

Ro Reviews and Company Reputation

Ro has operated under the Roman brand since 2017. Customer sentiment is generally positive, with reviewers noting the convenience of the online process, discreet delivery, and the quality of provider interactions.

Who Is Ro For?

Ro may be worth considering for men who:

• Are looking for a range of ED formats through one platform
• Want a sublingual option as an alternative to standard pills
• Prefer a daily tadalafil option in a gummy format

Who May Not Want to Choose Ro?

• Men focused primarily on cost. Ro Sparks starts at $48/mo for just four doses.
• Men new to PDE5 inhibitors. The doses in Ro Sparks are high enough that starting there without prior experience at lower doses may increase side effect risk.
• Men who want only FDA-approved finished drug products.

Is Ro FDA-Approved?

Ro's standard sildenafil (generic for Viagra®) and tadalafil tablets and brand-name Viagra and Cialis are FDA-approved medications. Ro Sparks and Daily Rise Gummies are compounded medications and not FDA-approved as finished drug products.

Ro Pros and Cons

Pros

• Multiple product formats: Standard generics, brand-name options, sublingual lozenge, and gummy all available through one platform
• Sublingual and gummy formats available for men who prefer an alternative to standard pills
• Transparent Sparks pricing: Dose plan costs are clearly laid out by quantity per month
• PE treatment options: Roman Swipes (OTC) and prescription sertraline available

Cons

• Ro Sparks is among the higher-priced options in this format: Starting at $48/mo for four doses
• Tadalafil dose in Sparks exceeds FDA max: 22 mg is above the FDA's 20 mg maximum recommended dose for as-needed use
• Compounded products are not FDA-approved
• Single fixed dose for Sparks: No strength tiers available

Alternatives to Ro for ED

For men who want a sublingual combination lozenge with dosage flexibility, Rugiet Ready offers four strength tiers combining sildenafil, tadalafil, and apomorphine, a dopamine agonist that works on the brain's arousal pathway. Unlike Ro Sparks' single fixed dose, Rugiet Ready allows you to start at a lower dose and adjust from there. Visit rugiet.com to learn more.

Bottom Line

Ro offers a range of ED product formats through one platform. A few things worth knowing before you start:

• Ro Sparks starts at $48/mo for four doses, scaling to $120/mo for ten.
• The fixed dose in Sparks is on the higher end. It is not the ideal starting point for men new to PDE5 inhibitors.
• Daily Rise Gummies start at $69/mo on a three-month plan for 90 doses.

For a sublingual combination product with more dosage flexibility, Rugiet Ready is worth considering. Start your free online visit at rugiet.com.