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Hi everyone, I hope all is well. Has anyone tried cosentyx? If so, please share your story with it

A myHSteam Member asked a question 💭
York, PA

My dermatologist is wanting me to try Bimzelx, although my insurance only covers cosentyx. My dermatologist says she doesn’t have a problem with this alternative. I have never taken either one of these medications before & have only treated my flare ups with antibiotics like doxycycline. I had my first bad flare in July 2024 & spent the rest of the year having horrible flares once a month. In February 2025 I found out I was pregnant & during that time I didn’t have a flare my entire 9 months of… read more

September 2 (edited)
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A myHSteam Member

I'm taking the Bimzelyx as recommended by my Dermatologist. I freaked me out because I always thought biologics were for extreme cases. I'm at stage 2 tried Doxy and it didn't work. Then took spironolactone for a couple of years. It worked great at first but then had to keep increasing my dose because I would have breakthrough flares. 🫤 So she said a biologic would help slow the progression of hs and help prevent getting to stage 3. We'll see. I took dose #8 on Saturday ( every 2 weeks). I have few side effects that are better now, but no flares. Thanks be to God!

September 3
myHSteam

What are other people's experiences with Cosentyx, and how does it compare to Bimzelx for treating HS?

First, it's really encouraging that your dermatologist is being proactive about finding the right treatment for you, especially after such a tough postpartum return of flares. You're definitely not alone in that Show Full Answer

What are other people's experiences with Cosentyx, and how does it compare to Bimzelx for treating HS?

First, it's really encouraging that your dermatologist is being proactive about finding the right treatment for you, especially after such a tough postpartum return of flares. You're definitely not alone in that experience — many myHSteam members have noticed their HS behaving differently after pregnancy.

Your experience of flare-free pregnancy followed by a postpartum return of symptoms is actually well-documented. Studies suggest that around 60% of people see HS worsen after giving birth, so what you're going through makes complete sense. Now, onto the medications! Both Cosentyx and Bimzelx are biologic treatments, meaning they work by targeting specific parts of your immune system to reduce inflammation and prevent lesions.

Here's a quick breakdown of Bimzelx:
- FDA-approved specifically for moderate to severe HS
- Targets both IL-17A and IL-17F, which are key drivers of HS inflammation
- In clinical trials, about 50% of people saw at least a 50% reduction in symptoms after 4 months
- Some participants saw up to 75% improvement
- Benefits lasted through 48 weeks of the study

Common side effects of Bimzelx include:
- Certain infections
- Fatigue
- Injection site reactions

Since your insurance covers Cosentyx and your dermatologist is on board with it, that's a really solid starting point. The most important thing is that you're moving toward a biologic treatment, which represents a meaningful step up from antibiotics alone for managing ongoing flares. One myHSteam member who started biologic treatment shared that before treatment they were getting flares weekly — at least two or three every week — and after about five months on a biologic, it dropped to maybe one a month. They described it as "a huge difference."

It's completely normal to feel nervous about self-injecting medication. Many people develop small personal rituals to make it easier, and that anxiety tends to ease over time.

Make sure to have an open conversation with your dermatologist about what to watch for with whichever biologic you start, especially since you're postpartum. Wishing you smoother days ahead! 💛

September 2
A myHSteam Member

Cosentyx worked really well for me.
My insurance would not pay for
It. Therefore, I had financial assistance from Novartis. The company who makes Cosentyx. If your insurance pays for it, take it and run!!! Novartis company sucks!! They are rude and makes you fill out way to much
Paperwork

September 5
A myHSteam Member

Both medications work well depending on the Hurley Stage of your lesions. I’m not sure if it’s dependent on the individual but I believe most doctors don’t know how to advise that excessive damage to sinus tracts under the skin and lesions require the excision procedure for better relief.

I developed it during my first pregnancy back in 2010 and I’ve had them since. Over the years, I was dismissive and didn’t understand much about it. Autoimmune disorders like this weren’t exactly as prevalent in medical research as it is now either. I began treatment 4-5 years ago with steroid injections for bad flare ups, several antibiotics, drainings and all but
no significant relief. Seeking surgery at the moment to help.

Praying for you💜.

September 3 (edited)

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