List of Treatments for Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Aldactone (Spironolactone)

Overview
Aldactone is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat hypertension, heart failure, edema, and other conditions. Aldactone is sometimes prescribed off-label to treat… read more

Benzalkonium chloride

Overview
Benzalkonium chloride is an active ingredient in over-the-counter medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammation and irritation of the skin. Benzalkonium chloride is… read more

Birth control pill (Estrogen and progestin)

Overview
Birth control pills are prescription drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to prevent pregnancy. A birth control pill containing both an estrogen and a progestin may be referred to as a… read more

Clinical trials

Overview
Depending on several factors, you may be eligible to participate in clinical trials studying new treatments for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Eligibility may be based on specifics of your skin condition and… read more

Corticosteroid Injection

Overview
Corticosteroids are a class of prescription drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammation. Corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat people with HS. The most common… read more

Cosentyx (Secukinumab)

Overview
Cosentyx is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat adults with moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Cosentyx is also known by its drug name,… read more

Cyclosporine

Overview
Cyclosporine is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis. Cyclosporine is also used to prevent the rejection of transplanted… read more

Humira (Adalimumab)

Overview
Humira is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa in people 12 and older. Humira is also known by its drug name,… read more

Laser and light therapy

Overview
Some people whose hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) does not respond to medication may benefit from laser or light therapy.

What does it involve?
Laser or light therapy for HS can take several different forms.… read more

Metformin

Overview
Metformin is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help improve blood glucose control, along with diet and exercise, in adults with type 2 diabetes. Metformin is… read more

Methotrexate

Overview
Methotrexate is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe cases of psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and some types of cancer. Methotrexate is sometimes… read more

Oral antibiotics

Overview
Antibiotics are medications that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi. Antibiotics work by attacking the source of the infection. In cases of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS),… read more

Oral corticosteroids

Overview
Corticosteroids are a class of prescription drugs approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat inflammation. Corticosteroids are sometimes used to treat people with HS.

The most common… read more

Oral Retinoids

Overview Oral retinoids can be used to treat severe acne and HS that has not been successfully treated with topical agents. Examples of oral retinoids include acitretin, isotretinoin, and alitretinoin. Oral retinoids…

Over-the-Counter Pain Medication

Overview
Over-the-counter medications are used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. There are three main drugs that can be used to relieve pain associated with hidradenitis suppurativa (HS): ibuprofen (branded as… read more

Prescribed Pain Medication

Overview
Prescribed medications can be used to treat pain, fever, and inflammation in those with HS when over-the-counter options have not significantly alleviated pain symptoms. There are two main categories of… read more

Remicade (Infliximab)

Overview
Remicade is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and inflammatory bowel… read more

Simlandi (Adalimumab-Ryvk)

Overview
Simlandi is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of moderate to severe hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in adults, along with various other chronic autoimmune conditions…

Stelara (Ustekinumab)

Overview
Stelara is a prescription medication approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat psoriatic arthritis, plaque psoriasis, and Crohn’s disease. Stelara is sometimes prescribed off-label to… read more

Stop smoking

Overview
Smoking is believed to trigger the development of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) in some people. Stopping smoking may improve the symptoms or course of the disease.

What does it involve?
When you decide to… read more

Topical antibiotics

Overview
Antibiotics are medications that kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi. Antibiotics work by attacking the source of the infection. In cases of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS),… read more