TMS vs. Antidepressants: How to Think About Your Options
By Counseling & Treatment Center of Utah · 2026-01-28
When you’re weighing how to treat depression, it helps to understand how the options actually differ. Here’s an honest comparison of TMS and antidepressant medication — not to replace a conversation with your provider, but to help you have a better one.
Side effects
Antidepressants can cause weight gain, nausea, fatigue, and sexual side effects, and they affect the whole body. TMS is targeted to the brain, so it has no systemic side effects — the most common is mild, temporary scalp discomfort.
How they work and how long they take
Medication is taken daily and may take weeks to reach effect, sometimes with trial-and-error to find the right one. TMS is a defined course — about 18–20 minutes a session, five days a week, for roughly six to seven weeks — after which many people maintain their gains.
Frequently asked
Can I do TMS while taking medication?
Often, yes. Many people continue their medication during TMS. Your provider will advise based on your situation.