TMS Safety

Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety of TMS Therapy in treating patients who have had an inadequate response to prior antidepressant medications.

Treatment caused very few side effects and was generally well tolerated by patients. The most common side effect reported during clinical trials was scalp discomfort—generally mild to moderate and occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.

Fewer than 5% of patients discontinued treatment due to adverse events.

Over 10,000 active treatments were performed across clinical trials demonstrating its safety.1

• No systemic side effects
  • No weight gain
  • No sexual dysfunction
  • No sedation
  • No nausea
  • No dry mouth
• No adverse effects on concentration or memory
• No drug interactions

TMS Therapy should not be used in patients with implanted metallic devices or non-removable metallic objects in or around the head. This does not include metallic fillings in teeth.

TMS Therapy should not be used in patients with implants controlled by physiological signals. This includes pacemakers, implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), and vagus nerve stimulators (VNS).

Learn about a typical TMS treatment session.

References:

1. Janicak, P, et al. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) in the Treatment of Major Depression: A Comprehensive Summary of Safety Experience from Acute Exposure, Extended Exposure and During Reintroduction Treatment. Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, February 2008.