People living with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) know that it’s hard to find a treatment that really works. Fewer than one in five people with this chronic skin condition report feeling satisfied with their current treatment options. At the same time, almost 75 percent of people with HS aren’t aware that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved medications specifically to treat HS.

In recent years, several new options have become available. These treatments are backed by years of clinical trial research and offer hope to people living with moderate to severe HS. Knowing about these medications can empower you to have more informed conversations with your dermatologist about what might work for you.

This article provides a timeline of recent FDA-approved treatments for HS, plus a look at one promising theory still in development.

Adalimumab

Approved by the FDA in 2015, adalimumab was the first medication approved specifically for moderate to severe HS. This medication is a biologic, meaning it’s made from immune proteins that target specific parts of the immune system. Adalimumab is sold under the brand name Humira. Biosimilars — similar but not identical versions of the original biologic — are available under other brand names.

Adalimumab works by blocking tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), a protein that causes inflammation. The drug is given by injection, typically once weekly or every other week after a starter dose.

In clinical trials, people taking adalimumab had fewer skin lesions and flare-ups than participants who got a placebo (treatment with no active drug). Common side effects include injection site reactions and an increased risk of infections, most often upper respiratory infections.

Secukinumab

Another biologic, secukinumab, was approved in 2023 to treat moderate to severe HS. Secukinumab works by blocking interleukin-17A (IL-17A), an immune system substance that produces inflammation. Sold as Cosentyx, secukinumab is given by injection, usually every four weeks after an initial series of doses.

In two large clinical trials, people with HS who took secukinumab had fewer painful boils and inflammatory nodules over 16 weeks compared to those who got a placebo. After a year of treatment, more than 80 percent of people had no increase in their number of draining tunnels. The most common side effects are headaches, diarrhea, and cold-like symptoms.

Bimekizumab

Bimekizumab (Bimzelx) is the newest available treatment for HS — it was approved in November 2024. This biologic works by blocking both IL-17A and IL-17F, two inflammatory proteins that contribute to HS symptoms. Bimekizumab is usually given as an injection every two weeks for 16 weeks, then given monthly.

Clinical trial results showed that more people taking bimekizumab had at least a 50 percent reduction in HS symptoms — including clearer skin and fewer abscesses — compared to those on a placebo. Infections, headaches, and injection site pain are the most common side effects.

What’s Next? JAK Inhibitors Show Promise in Clinical Trials

Povorcitinib is an experimental treatment that’s showing promising results for HS. This medication blocks Janus kinase 1 (JAK1), an enzyme linked to inflammation. Unlike the biologics currently approved for HS, povorcitinib is taken as a pill, not an injection.

In a recent clinical trial, povorcitinib was shown to reduce the total number of HS abscesses and nodules by over half. The most common side effects were nausea, acne, and headaches.

If approved, povorcitinib could offer a new option for people who prefer a pill to an injection. More research is needed to confirm povorcitinib’s safety and long-term benefits.

Other medications, including the JAK inhibitor upadacitinib and several biologics still in testing, are also being studied as future treatments for HS.

What New Hidradenitis Suppurativa Medications Mean for You

New treatments offer hope for people with moderate to severe HS, especially if past options haven’t worked well. If you’re not satisfied with your current HS treatment, talk to your doctor about whether a newer treatment might help.

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• If cost is a concern, you can ask your doctor about financial assistance programs that may help with treatment expenses.
• If injections make you nervous, there are ways to overcome the fear of needles, and your care team can help.
• If you’re looking beyond prescriptions, you may also benefit from over-the-counter treatments or changes to your skin care routine.

With the new FDA-approved drugs — and possibly more on the way — you have more tools than ever to manage HS symptoms and improve your quality of life. Ask your dermatologist if one of these new treatments could be right for you.

Join the Conversation

On myHSteam, people share their experiences with hidradenitis suppurativa, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you talked to your doctor about any of these newer FDA-approved treatment options for HS? Let others know in a comment below.