Medications and TMS
One of the most frequently asked questions about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is whether patients can stop taking their medications after treatment, or even while TMS is underway.
Some patients can reduce or discontinue certain medications after completing TMS and continue to feel well. Others choose to remain on medication, either at a lower dose or unchanged. There is no single outcome that applies to everyone.
If you are currently taking psychiatric medications, any decision to change them should be made between you and your prescribing provider. During TMS treatment, we generally prefer that medications and dosages remain stable. This helps ensure that any improvement you experience can be clearly attributed to the TMS therapy rather than to medication changes.
That said, we do not prohibit medication adjustments when they are medically necessary—especially if you are experiencing intolerable side effects. Your safety and comfort always come first.
If you do make any medication changes, please let us know at your next appointment. Specific adjustments may require us to reassess and fine-tune the magnetic stimulation settings to ensure your treatment remains safe and effective.
About Jonathan Schwartz, M.D.
Dr. Jonathan Schwartz, MD, was born in New Bedford and has been practicing adult and child psychiatry for more than 30 years. He graduated from McGill University Medical School in Montreal and trained at Massachusetts General Hospital (Adult Psychiatry) and Children’s Hospital (Child Psychiatry) in Boston. Dr. Schwartz specializes in the areas of Mood Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Addictions, and ADHD. He served as the psychiatrist at U.Mass. Dartmouth from 1985 until 2016 and is currently the Medical Director at Steppingstone in Fall River, MA. Dr. Schwartz directs Concierge TMS.
