Oral minoxidil — is it actually worth it?

Minoxidil 12/31/2025

The user is considering starting oral minoxidil 2.5 mg, dutasteride 0.5 mg, and topical minoxidil+finasteride for hair loss at Norwood 2. They are also asking if they can avoid some medications and about the effectiveness of PRP with the prescribed treatments.

Topical finasteride with minoxidil can be effective but may not match oral finasteride results, with less absorption into the bloodstream. Shedding is common when starting or stopping minoxidil and finasteride, and adding dutasteride and tretinoin can enhance effectiveness by improving absorption and DHT inhibition.

The user saw no hair regrowth after a year of using finasteride and dutasteride, only maintaining their current hair. Many recommend adding minoxidil for potential regrowth.

Minoxidil and finasteride can help regrow hair, especially in thinning areas, but restoring completely receded temples is challenging and may require a hair transplant. Some users report success with these treatments, particularly when combined with microneedling.

The user has been using Minoxidil and Finasteride since late 2019 with good results but is experiencing a dry, flaky scalp and shedding hairs. They also use Nizoral, biotin, zinc, magnesium, and collagen supplements, and their dermatologist prescribed fluocinolone acetonide to reduce flaking.

Finasteride and dutasteride are significantly cheaper in India, leading to substantial savings for users. There are discussions on the effectiveness of oral minoxidil and finasteride for hair loss, with concerns about the quality of generic medications.