I have take 2,5 and 5mg a day, for my 5mg a day defentily shed more hairs and i have more side effects, so im now 2 months on 2,5mg last time i notice after 3 months that my hair became thicker, i defentily shed for about 6-8 weeks if i start oral minoxidil but after 3-4 months you must see some results, There is a study that 5mg is 7x more powerful then 2,5mg but for my 5mg makes my hair so worse every where maybe if i wait for some months it was better but i dont take the risk i am also on minoxidil foam for 2 years and dutasteride 1 year