Ricit (Finasteride 5mg)

Ricit general information

What is Ricit used for?

Ricit tablets 5mg are used to treat symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate to shrink the prostate and reduce the risk of urinary retention caused by restricted urine flow as the prostate becomes enlarged.  Improving symptoms of BPH with Ricit 5mg tablets also reduces the need for surgery.  As a side effect of its intended use, Ricit tablets 5mg are also used to treat male pattern hair loss (androgenetic alopecia) by increasing hair growth and preventing further hair loss from all areas of the scalp, including the front.  This can reverse balding in men with mild to moderate hair loss but does not restore hair that has been lost for a long time.  Ricit tablets 5mg are not used to treat hair loss in women. 

How does Ricit work?

Ricit tablets 5mg contains finasteride a specific inhibitor of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland.  DHT also causes benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate).  Finasteride Ricit tablets 5mg reduces the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated in men with BPH, allowing the enlarged prostate to shrink.  DHT, which is also found in hair follicles, is the androgen responsible for hair loss, as it causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  Ricit tablets 5mg reverse the balding process as it blocks the build-up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally.  

What does Ricit contain?

Ricit tablets 5mg contain the active ingredient finasteride, used to treat BPH and reverse the balding process in male pattern hair loss.  They also contain lactose, sodium starch glycolate, maize starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, docusate sodium, benzoate, magnesium stearate, Opadry 04F50702 blue, purified water.

Treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with Ricit

Ricit tablets 5mg contain finasteride 5mg, which is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH or enlarged prostate).  Finasteride in Ricit tablets 5mg is a specific inhibitor of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the androgen primarily responsible for development and growth of the prostate gland.  Ricit tablets 5mg reduce the levels of DHT in the blood, so that prostate growth is no longer stimulated and the prostate shrinks, reducing the risk of urinary retention and restricted urine flow caused by an enlarged prostate.  Treating BPH with Ricit tablets 5mg improves symptoms and reduces the need for surgery.   

Treating hair loss with Ricit

Ricit 5mg tablets contain finasteride 5mg, used to treat male pattern hair loss.  Finasteride in Ricit 5mg tablets specifically inhibits the action of the enzyme type II 5α-reductase that converts the male hormone testosterone to dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is found in hair follicles and is the androgen that is responsible for hair loss.  DHT causes hair follicles in the scalp to gradually shrink producing smaller and thinner hairs, which eventually do not emerge from the follicle.  Finasteride in Ricit tablets 5mg reverse the balding process as it blocks the build-up of DHT in the hair follicles of the scalp, allowing the hair to grow normally.  The correct dose of finasteride for hair loss is 1mg, which means that you would need to cut the Ricit 5mg tablet into a quarter. 

What are the side effects of Ricit?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Ricit tablets 5mg include temporary impotence (whilst continuing on treatment), decreased amount of semen and low libido. 

When should Ricit not be used?

You should not use Ricit tablets 5mg if you:

• are a woman, Ricit is not intended for use by women and can be harmful to an unborn child
• are allergic to Ricit or any other medication containing finasteride

How should Ricit be taken?

You should take your Ricit tablets 5mg with a glass of water once a day with or without food, for up to 6 months or longer, as recommended by your doctor.  It can take 6 months or more for Ricit tablets 5mg to improve symptoms of BPH, as the prostate shrinks slowly and if you stop taking your Ricit tablets 5mg during this time, your prostate make start to grow again.  It can take several months for new hair to grow and if you stop taking your Ricit tablets 5mg during this time, hair loss may resume.   

How long should you take Ricit?

You should continue to take Ricit tablets 5mg for as long as recommended by your doctor, which may be for 3-6months or longer. 

Missed dose of Ricit

If you miss a dose of Ricit 5mg tablets take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Ricit be stored?

You should store your Ricit 5mg tablets below 25°C in a cool dry place.  Keep away from direct sunlight.