Fin only or add in oral minoxidil?

[Spoony]

I have lost some of my hairline as well as mid scalp, (as well as miniaturised hairs in that area).

I'm at the point of considering a transplant, but it feels like I should try medication first as I understand most clinics will advise me to go on medication post op (please correct me if I am wrong!).

In the last few years oral minox seems to be more accessible (Manual, Hims, Oxford online). This certainly sounds much more convenient than topical, but the side effects sound more severe(hair grows more everywhere, heart palpitations)

My questions are:-
1) should I start with fin and add minox later, or do both at the same time from day 1?
2) has anyone used manual etc or do they source two tablets and is one route more advantageous than the other?
3) I'm somewhat confused about what they do - material I have read seem to suggest fin helps keep the hair you have and minox grows hair that you have lost. Am I understanding that correctly?
4) I'm trying to balance risk Vs reward but keep seeing different % of side effects Vs how much they work. Places selling it seems to be quite vague about side effects and Reddit seems to be full of pictures of people with hairy palms! I guess I'm trying to approach this as scientifically as possible.

Any answers or pointers to the above gratefully received!

 

[Tom80]

1) you should start Fin first and see it works. Fin does not work for around 15% of men. you could consider to add Minox later on (about 12 months after starting Fin) if still necessary.

 

[MPBsucks1234]

I use 5mg daily of minox and it has done absolute wonders.

 

[mania]

For male sample baldness, the use of oral finasteride (to dam DHT) and including oral minoxidil (to reinforce increase) normally gives advanced effects to both alone, as they goal exclusive reasons, but always begin under clinical steerage, specially with oral bureaucracy to monitor capability side consequences.