If you are already taking medication for major depressive disorder, the option to start NeuroStar transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can raise understandable questions, such as “Can I take antidepressants along with TMS therapy?” Many people worry they will have to stop taking a drug that offers some benefit in order to try something new. It can be reassuring to know that we often use antidepressants and TMS therapy together as part of the same overall treatment plan.
At Synergy Strive in Columbia—also serving Towson and Silver Spring—our clinician reviews your full history, including which medications you have tried, how they have worked, and what side effects you have experienced. Our goal is to create a thoughtful approach that builds on what you are already doing, rather than asking you to start over.
NeuroStar TMS is a non-invasive, FDA-cleared treatment that uses focused magnetic pulses—similar to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technology—to stimulate specific brain regions involved in mood regulation. Antidepressant medications act differently, affecting neurotransmitters throughout your brain and body. Because they work in different ways, many patients continue antidepressant medication during NeuroStar TMS treatment under close medical supervision.
Our clinician may recommend staying on your current antidepressant while beginning NeuroStar TMS treatment, especially if your medication is providing partial relief from your symptoms. This approach allows our team to monitor how your symptoms change with the addition of NeuroStar TMS therapy, without introducing too many variables at once. Over time, we can discuss any appropriate adjustments to your dosage or medication type based on your response to TMS and your preferences.
We may consider combining antidepressants with TMS therapy if you have not seen sufficient improvement with medication alone, or if you find the common side effects of medication hard to tolerate. NeuroStar TMS has a moderate risk of side effects, so our clinician carefully weighs both treatments when planning your care.
We will make any decision to change your antidepressant medication collaboratively. You should not stop, increase, or decrease your medication on your own when starting NeuroStar TMS treatment. Instead, our team will monitor your mood, energy, sleep, and side effects, making one change at a time as needed. This steady, coordinated approach helps protect your safety and ensures we all have clear information about what is helping you.
Understanding how medication fits into your NeuroStar TMS treatment plan can make the entire process feel more manageable. A one-on-one visit at Synergy Strive offers space to review your current prescriptions, learn more about treatment with NeuroStar TMS, and explore whether continuing, adjusting, or adding antidepressants is right for you.
If you are still wondering, “Can I take antidepressants along with TMS therapy?” reach out today to schedule a consultation and discuss how antidepressant medication and NeuroStar TMS could work together in a comprehensive plan to treat your depression. Our clinician will partner with you to design an approach that emphasizes safety, clarity, and meaningful improvements in your daily life.
