I switched from topical 5% or oral 2.5mg minoxidil… it’s been roughly 4-5 months. Is this normal??? 8/22/2026
The user switched from topical 5% minoxidil to oral 2.5mg minoxidil for convenience while traveling and is experiencing prolonged shedding, which is causing concern. Community members suggest that shedding can last longer than expected, and some recommend increasing the oral dosage or combining it with topical application for better results.
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6 / 6 resultscommunity 5 months topical minoxidil and 1 mg oral fin, identical hair lengths.
A 25-year-old shared impressive hair regrowth results after 5 months using 5% topical minoxidil (Rogaine and Kirkland) and 1 mg oral finasteride (Propecia), with no shedding or side effects. The user applies minoxidil twice daily and finasteride once daily.
community Transitioned from topical minoxidil to oral min and the shedding is crazy!
Switching from topical to oral minoxidil can cause initial hair shedding but may lead to thicker hair growth. Many users combine it with finasteride, experiencing varying side effects.
community Is it dumb to use both oral and topical minoxidil
Using both oral and topical minoxidil is not considered dumb, and some users report better results with both, though it may cause shedding and scalp irritation. Combining minoxidil with finasteride is recommended for better effectiveness.
community Questions for long term topical minoxidil users from a newbie
A user experienced hair shedding after stopping and restarting topical minoxidil due to side effects like facial edema and hirsutism. They are considering alternatives like low-dose oral minoxidil, PRP, and red light therapy, while others suggest finasteride and caution against combining multiple treatments without medical advice.
community 3 weeks on Minoxidil 5% (rogaine foam)
The user started using Minoxidil 5% foam and plans to begin finasteride in December, noticing less shedding but uncertain about regrowth after three weeks. Others suggest it takes at least 3-6 months to see significant results, with some recommending adding finasteride and possibly switching to oral Minoxidil.
community Failure with 5mg oral minoxidil, looking for experiences of people who used topical with glycerin as a vehicle.
Oral minoxidil was ineffective for OP, causing hair loss and unwanted body hair, while topical minoxidil showed significant regrowth. OP is switching to topical minoxidil with glycerin due to scalp issues with propylene glycol.
Related Research
6 / 6 resultsresearch 172 The impact of overlapping topical and oral minoxidil to combat temporary hair shedding during oral minoxidil initiation
Using both topical and oral minoxidil does not reduce hair shedding.
research Combating “Dread Shed”: The Impact of Overlapping Topical and Oral Minoxidil on Temporary Hair Shedding During Oral Minoxidil Initiation
This review discusses the potential strategy of continuing topical minoxidil when starting low dose oral minoxidil to mitigate initial hair shedding in alopecia, but reports no new clinical results.
research Referee report. For: Treatment of chronic telogen effluvium with oral minoxidil: A retrospective study [version 1; referees: 2 approved]
Oral minoxidil significantly reduces hair shedding in women with chronic telogen effluvium.
research Oral Minoxidil: A Possible New Therapy for Androgenetic Alopecia
Oral minoxidil may improve hair loss in men and women, but has some side effects.
research Loose anagen hair syndrome: Treatment with systemic minoxidil characterised by marked hair colour change
This letter to the editor discusses the use of systemic minoxidil for loose anagen hair syndrome, noting a significant change in hair color, but reports no new study results.
research Randomized controlled trial to compare the efficacy of oral minoxidil 1.25 mg versus 2.5 mg versus topical 5% minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia
In this study, oral minoxidil (1.25 mg and 2.5 mg) and topical 5% minoxidil significantly promoted hair regrowth in men with androgenetic alopecia over six months, showing comparable efficacy across both oral and topical treatments.