TMS Safety

Clinical trials have demonstrated the safety of transcranial magnetic stimulation in treating patients who have had an inadequate response to prior antidepressant medications. The first major clinical trial in the U.S. involved the NeurostarTMS device, our first TMS machine.

Treatment with TMS 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 with NeurostarTMS Therapy due to adverse events.

Over 10,000 active treatments were performed across all NeuroStar® clinical trials demonstrating its safety1

  • 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).

 

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.