If topical minoxidil failed have you considered looking into oral minoxidil? It will go through the liver and become systemic. I have had great benefits from oral minoxidil compared to topical. If you found after receiving benefits from finasteride and then felt there was no change then it is still working and has stabalized your hair. If you want to cease the drug for personal reasons then of course yes do that. But it can mean the difference from keeping the hair you have for a long time to losing those gains and then MPB will continue it's genetic course.