How Does TMS Compare to Medication?

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The Southern Colorado TMS Center

NeuroStar is non-systemic, so it does not have side effects such as weight gain, sexual dysfunction, nausea, dry mouth, sedation, among others. The most common side effects reported during clinical trials were headache and scalp pain or discomfort — generally mild to moderate — occurring less frequently after the first week of treatment.



NeuroStar TMS therapy was not compared in head-to-head studies with antidepressant medications. It is difficult to compare NeuroStar vs. drugs, because they have been studied in different patient populations. The patients for which NeuroStar has been FDA-cleared had failed multiple treatment attempts, one of which achieved an adequate dose and duration. Almost all antidepressant medications have been studied and approved for 1st-line treatment. In the NeuroStar randomized controlled trial, almost three times the number of NeuroStar-treated patients had a significant improvement in symptoms compared to placebo.

Like any treatment option, patients and clinicians should work together to find the most appropriate treatment option for each patient.