TMS is very safe. In clinical trials and in real-life practice, TMS therapy is well tolerated and has been proven to be safe. In the US, over 1 million TMS treatments have been performed with little to no complications or side effects. The most commonly reported side effect related to treatment was mild to moderate scalp discomfort during treatment sessions. Scalp discomfort occurs less frequently after the first week of treatment. If symptoms do persist, over-the-counter analgesics may be taken.
Other, more rare, side effects may include eye pain, toothache, facial muscle twitching, facial pain, or pain of the skin. TMS therapy also produces a clicking sound, so earplugs are provided for each treatment. In clinical trials, more than 10,000 TMS treatments demonstrated its safety with no occurrence of seizures. However, there is a small risk of a seizure occurring during treatment, estimated at 1 in 10,000. This risk is no greater than what has been observed with oral antidepressant medications.
Note: No side effects such as weight gain, sexual problems, stomach problems, sleepiness, or dry mouth were seen during clinical trials. TMS does not impair memory or the ability to concentrate. Like any treatment option, you and our doctor will discuss the risks and success of TMS therapy and work together to find the most appropriate treatment option for you.