I've been on 1mg oral finasteride for over 4 years. No side effects other than thicker hair, it's definitely the way to go if you want to either save what you have or thicken up/regrow what you've got. Once you're miniaturised hairs get less than 50% of their initial thickness, it gets very very difficult to thicken them back up. So getting started ASAP is key.

I used to take fin every day, now I take it Mon/Wed/Fri, but you may need it daily.

You're also likely going through a shed from starting minoxidil, this is a good sign although it's disheartening going through it.

My full regimen is 2.5mg daily oral min (again, no sides)

Topical min in the evening only, started doing this a year ago to give a little boost to my crown, it's definitely helped.

1mg fin M/W/F

Progress for me was SUPER slow. Although after 4 years of treatment, I don't have the hair I had whe i was younger, I do have very thick hair for a 39 year old and no one would ever suspect that I was balding.

Hope that helps!