Of course it is normal to shed hair. If we did not shed hair, it would never stop growing. Hair lives 2-6 years and the longer it lives, the longer it grows. There are documented reports of individuals with hair over six feet long. Considering that hair grows about 1/2 " per month or 6" per...
The 2 main differences are that 5% minoxidil is FDA approved, the 10% minoxidil is not, and 10% typically would have greater benefits for hair but it also has a higher risk of side effects.
For this particular condition it is better to be seen by a dermatologist to determine which treatment method is right for you. Typically this is treated topically and not orally.