Switched from topical to oral minoxidil and experiencing significant hair shedding

The shedding can occur after stopping topical minoxdil its a common side effect even if you switch to PO minoxdil. It eventually does stabilize after 9 months of continued therapy. Androgenic alopecia is a life long condition that has strong genetic predisposition there are some people who cannot stop minoxdil and have to stay on it for the rest of their days.

Yes, it’s normal. Your hair is really upset that you stopped the topical minoxidil and now is shedding on account of that. It may shed 2-6 months. Even people who stop 5 days cN sometimes get shedding. You are assuming that oral minoxidil will immediately substitute and repair the telogen effluvium that has been set off by you stopping minoxidil. It does not always. All treatments for androgenetic alopecia are lifelong and shedding occurs when stopped. The best thing to do now is continue 2.5 mg (assuming nonside effects) and wait wait wait. It is not likely that 2.5 mg of oral minoxidil won’t do better than topical minoxidil so your worry is without merit and most studies to date would suggest you just need to wait 9 months after starting oral minoxidil (one year after stopping topical minoxidil).