I'm a female, apparently suffering from androgenic alopecia. different docs have been mostly experimenting on my case while my case worsens. my doc has now prescribed 5mg oral minodixil. isn't that too strong? i'm scared of the potential side effects?

5 mg is still considered low dose. You can ask for lower if that is your preference- 1.25 mg or even less .625mg. Low dose is considered relatively safe - hypertrichosis (excess hair growth) in 24%, foot swelling in 2%, blood pressure changes in 1%. Ask for a lower starting dose if this helps. https://www.aad.org/dw/dw-insights-and-inquiries/archive/2022/low-dose-oral-minoxidil-alopecia