Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Depo-Provera Lawsuit Overview

Depo-Provera is a birth control injection that uses a synthetic hormone to prevent pregnancy, by stopping ovulation and making changes to the cervical environment and uterine lining.

The birth control shot was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1992, and has been marketed heavily by Pfizer as a safe and effective method for preventing pregnancy. However, recent medical research has linked side effects of Depo-Provera to an increased risk of rare brain tumors called meningiomas. Some women have also developed a dangerous build up of fluid pressure in the skull, known as pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

Due to the drug maker’s failure to warn about these potential risks, lawyers are now reviewing Depo-Provera lawsuits against Pfizer, alleging that the drug manufacturer knew, or should have known about the risk of brain tumors from Depo-Provera birth control injections.

Who is Eligible for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

Financial compensation may be available through a Depo-Provera lawsuit settlement for women who received at least two name-brand or generic Depo-Provera shots, and suffered any of the following complications:

• Brain Tumor
• Meningioma
• Pseudotumor Cerebri
• Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)

Lawyers are actively investigating new Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits against the manufacturer for women throughout the United States who have developed injuries that could have been prevented.

To determine if you or a loved one qualify for a Depo-Provera lawsuit, submit information for review by a Depo Provera lawyer, who will evaluate the circumstances of your potential claim. There are no fees or expenses paid unless a settlement or lawsuit payout is received.

Depo-Provera Lawsuit 2024 Updates

• October 4, 2024 Update: The first of what is expected to be many Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits was filed by Kristina Schmidt in the United States District Court Northern District of California on October 1. Schmidt alleges that over the years she experienced Depo-Provera side effects from the injections, including severe headaches, dizziness, and vertigo, which led to her diagnosis of a Grade 1 and Grade 2 Sylvian fissure meningioma brain tumor in June 2022. The lawsuit against Pfizer, the manufacturer, claims that the tumor was caused by the birth control injections, citing that the active ingredient, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), can promote abnormal cell growth leading to tumors, and accuses Pfizer of failure to warn, defective design, and other charges reflecting a serious oversight in consumer safety.
• September 12, 2024 Update: As lawyers continue to review the medical literature supporting a potential causal link between Depo-Provera and meningioma brain tumors, new information continues to emerge that suggests Pfizer should have known about the risk for decades.
• August 3, 2024 Update: Following a study released earlier this outlining Depo-Provera brain tumor risks, lawyers are now investigating product liability lawsuits over potential failure to warn a design defect claims against Pfizer Inc., who is the manufacturer of injectable contraceptive.
• March 28, 2024 Update: A groundbreaking study has found that women using Depo-Provera birth control shots are 5.5 times more likely to develop meningiomas, which is a rare but serious type of brain tumor that often requires surgical removal.

What is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is a contraceptive injection (birth control shot) that contains medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), which is a synthetic form of the hormone progestin that mimics the natural hormone progesterone.

Similar to natural progesterone, MPA works by inhibiting ovulation, ensuring no egg is released for fertilization. Additionally, it thickens cervical mucus to impede sperm movement and alters the uterine lining to prevent implantation of any fertilized egg.

Depo-Provera is administered as an intramuscular injection in the arm or butt once every three months, or about every 12 to 14, weeks to allow for a slow and consistent release of MPA into the bloodstream.

Many women have chosen Depo-Provera for its convenient injection schedule, which eliminates daily or weekly contraceptive routines. However, recent medical research indicates that users have faced an increased risk of brain tumors from Depo-Provera, which was not disclosed by the drug maker on the warning label.

Depo-Provera Linked to Brain Tumor Risks

In a study published in the the medical journal The BMJ on March 27, 2024, Noémie Roland and a team of researchers found that women using Depo-Provera for one year or longer faced a 5.55 times higher risk of developing meningioma brain tumors, when compared to individuals who had not received the birth control injection.  This has raised serious concerns about the increased risk of developing brain tumors.

Researchers analyzed data from over 108,000 women in the French National Health Data System, focusing on 18,000 women in France who had brain surgery for meningioma between 2009 and 2018. Each of these women were matched with five control subjects for robust comparison.

The study assessed various synthetic progestogens administered through different methods, including oral, vaginal, and injectable routes, finding an increased risk of brain tumors amongst each;

• Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera): 5.55 times higher risk of meningioma among users.
• Medrogestone: 3.49 times higher risk of meningioma among users.
• Promegestone: 2.39 times higher risk of meningioma among users.

According to the study, there are approximately 74 million Depo-Provera users worldwide, which suggests a potentially widespread health concern for millions of women, who were unknowingly exposed to an increased risk of developing meningiomas from Depo-Provera use.

What is a Meningioma Brain Tumor?

A meningioma is a type of tumor that arises from the meninges, which consists of three protective membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord. These include the;

1. Dura Mater: The outermost and toughest layer, which is closest to the skull and vertebral column.
2. Arachnoid Mater: The middle layer, which is web-like and sits between the dura mater and the pia mater. It contains cerebrospinal fluid that cushions the brain and spinal cord.
3. Pia Mater: The innermost layer, which is delicate and adheres closely to the surface of the brain and spinal cord, following their contours.

While most meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous) and grow slowly, they can still cause significant symptoms and complications depending on their size and location within the cranial cavity.

Depo-Provera meningiomas may be classified into three grades, based on their behavior:

• Grade I Meningiomas: These are benign tumors that grow very slowly and account for about 80% of meningioma cases.
• Grade II Meningiomas: Although still non-cancerous, these tumors grow more quickly and are more challenging to treat.
• Grade III Meningiomas: These are malignant tumors that grow rapidly and aggressively, representing less than 2% of all meningioma cases.

Grade I meningiomas from Depo-Provera will typically require surgical removal, often with good outcomes. If Depo-Provera causes a Grade II and III meningiomas, women may require a combination of surgery, radiation therapy, and possibly chemotherapy, depending on their growth rate and aggressiveness.

How Does Depo-Provera Cause Meningioma Brain Tumors?

Medical research indicates that long-term exposure to Depo-Provera may cause meningiomas, due to its active ingredient medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), which has been found to elevate the risk of developing brain tumors.

The meninges, which are the protective layers covering the brain and spinal cord, contain hormone receptors, including those for progesterone. These receptors play a crucial role in cellular regulation.

Research suggests that when Depo-Provera’s MPA binds to these progesterone receptors in the meninges, it can activate signaling pathways that promote abnormal cell proliferation. This increased cell growth in the meninges could potentially lead to the formation of meningiomas.

Symptoms of Meningiomas from Depo-Provera

Symptoms of meningioma for those who received or are currently taking Depo-Provera injections can include:

• Vision changes: Seeing double or blurriness
• Headaches: Headaches that worsen over time, or are worse in the morning
• Hearing loss: Hearing loss or ringing in the ears
• Memory loss: Memory loss
• Loss of smell: Loss of smell
• Seizures: Seizures
• Weakness: Weakness in the arms or legs
• Trouble speaking: Difficulty speaking
• Confusion: Confusion
• Balance loss: Loss of balance

Depo-Provera Side Effects

In addition to the potential risk of brain tumors, Depo-Provera has been associated with a range of other side effects, including:

• Irregular Menstrual Bleeding: This can include spotting, prolonged bleeding, or complete cessation of periods.
• Weight Gain: Many users experience weight increase while using the injection.
• Headaches: Frequent headaches or migraines can occur.
• Mood Changes: Some individuals report mood swings, depression, or anxiety.
• Reduced Bone Density: Prolonged use can lead to a decrease in bone mineral density.
• Nausea: Some users may feel nauseous or experience gastrointestinal discomfort.

These risks are included on the Depo-Provera FDA warning label.  However, there are other potential side effects that it now appears Pfizer did not adequately disclose to users and the medical community.

Pseudotumor Cerebri Side Effects From Depo-Provera

While rare, Pfizer has faced a number of Depo-Provera lawsuits over pseudotumor cerebri side effects in prior years.

This condition is characterized by increased pressure within the skull, which can mimic the symptoms of a brain tumor from Depo-Provera, without the presence of an actual tumor, which can include;

• Headaches: Severe, persistent headaches are a common symptom.
• Vision Problems: Patients may experience blurred vision, double vision, or even vision loss.
• Nausea and Vomiting: Increased intracranial pressure can lead to gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Tinnitus: Ringing in the ears can occur as a result of increased pressure.

To manage any Depo-Provera pseudotumor cerebri side effects, women may require a number of treatments, such as:

• Medication: Diuretics like acetazolamide may be prescribed to reduce cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production and lower intracranial pressure.
• Lumbar Punctures: Also known as spinal taps, these are used to relieve pressure by removing excess CSF from the spinal canal.

Depo-Provera Class Action Lawsuits

While there has not yet been a Depo-Provera class action lawsuit filed in the United States over the meningioma risks, it is expected that claims may be filed to obtain medical monitoring for women who may face continuing risks from the injection.  In addition, a large number of women are currently investigating individual brain tumor lawsuits, which are now being filed by women who received a Depo Provera shot.

Depo-Provera lawyers are investigating claims over the potentially dangerous and defective design of the birth control shot, as well as claims that the manufacturer failed to warn the medical community and patients about the risk of brain tumor side effects.

Who is the Depo-Provera Lawsuit Against?

Lawyers are investigating Depo-Provera lawsuits for women who suffered brain tumors against Pfizer Inc., who is the manufacturer of the name-brand birth control shot.

Drug makers have a responsibility to thoroughly investigate and assess the safety of their product. This includes conducting rigorous research and clinical trials to identify potential risks, such as the association between Depo-Provera birth control medication and brain tumors.

Once potential risks are identified, drug makers have a duty to disclose these risks transparently to Depo Provera patients and healthcare professionals. This means updating product labels with accurate warnings, providing clear information about potential side effects, and ensuring that users and doctors are aware of the risks involved.

Depo-Provera Lawsuit Examples

Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit

Kristina Schmidt filed the first Depo-Provera lawsuit in the United States District Court Northern District of California on October 1, 2024, asserting her prolonged use of Depo-Provera birth control injections received from 2005 to 2021 at a Planned Parenthood in San Ramon, California caused her to develop a Grade 1 and Grade 2 brain tumor known as a Sylvian fissure meningioma at the age of 37 in June 2022.

The lawsuit contends that Pfizer and other manufacturers of Depo-Provera were aware or should have been aware of the Depo-Provera brain tumor side effects, supported by substantial research indicating that the active ingredient, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), activates cell growth pathways that can lead to meningioma. Schmidt’s claims against the manufacturers include failure to warn, inadequate testing, defective design, misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of warranty.

Contact a Depo-Provera Lawyer

Depo-Provera lawyers are providing free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals who received the birth control shots and developed meningioma brain tumors or were diagnosed with Pseudotumor Cerebri.

Attorneys handle all Depo-Provera cases on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no fees or expenses paid unless a settlement or lawsuit payout is received.

How to File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?

To determine whether you or a loved one may be eligible for a Depo-Provera lawsuit settlement, submit information about your potential claim for review by a lawyer to determine whether a settlement or lawsuit payout may be available.

There are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained in your case.