Depo-Provera and Brain Tumor Risks: What You Need to Know

Depo-Provera, manufactured by Pfizer and also known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), has a complex history in women’s healthcare. Initially developed in the 1950s as a treatment for uterine cancer, it was presented to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decades later as a contraceptive but was denied in 1972 due to safety concerns.

Despite this, it was distributed globally, often in population control programs targeting developing countries. It wasn’t until 1992 that the FDA approved Depo-Provera for contraceptive use in the U.S.

Since it has been widely used as a hormonal contraceptive administered via injection every three months, it is estimated that approximately 1.6 million women in the U.S. use Depo-Provera annually, Today, it remains widely prescribed, not only as birth control but also to treat conditions such as endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding, and certain cancers.

Now, medical providers, the FDA, and our attorneys are investigating cases where people used the Depo-Provera brand of birth control shots and were diagnosed with meningioma, brain cysts, or brain tumors.

Pharmaceutical companies have a duty to warn patients and healthcare providers of potential risks associated with their products. The lawsuits against Pfizer claim that the company failed to meet this obligation, leaving patients unaware of the possible dangers of long-term Depo-Provera use.

If you or someone you love has experienced a brain tumor or other serious health complications after using Depo-Provera, you deserve answers—and justice. Our legal team is here to help you navigate your options and fight for the compensation you deserve starting with a free consultation by calling (850) 436-6340.

The Alarming Link Between Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors

A recent study conducted by researchers at the National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety in France, published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), has raised severe concerns about Depo-Provera’s safety, linking progestogen medications to an increased risk of brain tumors.

Researchers found that women who used the drug for more than a year faced a 5.6 times higher risk of developing intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor, compared to women who never used the drug. This startling discovery has prompted renewed scrutiny of Depo-Provera and its generics.

Meningiomas are often benign, but their growth can cause severe complications, including headaches, seizures, and vision loss. Patients affected by these tumors may require surgery, radiation, or other intensive treatments.

The study’s lead researcher, a general practitioner and epidemiologist with French National Health Insurance in Saint-Denis, warned that: “the number of attributable meningiomas may be potentially high in countries where the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate for birth control is common.”

Discovering that a trusted form of prescribed medication like Depo-Provera may be linked to brain tumors is a profoundly unsettling and life-altering revelation for many women. At our law firm, we believe every woman deserves to know the facts about the potential risks associated with Depo-Provera. Transparency and accountability matter, and we are committed to empowering women with the knowledge and legal support they need to make informed decisions and hold negligent pharmaceutical companies accountable.

What is a Meningioma?

According to the Mayo Clinic, a meningioma is a tumor that originates in the meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While not technically a brain tumor, a meningioma can exert pressure on nearby brain tissue, nerves, and blood vessels, potentially causing serious complications. It is the most common type of tumor found in the head.

Meningiomas often grow slowly, sometimes over years, without presenting noticeable symptoms. However, when the tumor expands and affects nearby structures, it can lead to significant impairments and health challenges. Neuropathologists classify primary central nervous system (CNS) tumors like meningiomas based on detailed tissue analysis. Depending on their specific cellular and biological characteristics, these tumors are assigned one of three grades—Grade I, II, or III—which help guide treatment decisions and prognosis.

According to the National Cancer Institute, each grade contains different subtypes:

• Grade I Meningiomas: The most common type, these low-grade tumors grow slowly and are generally less aggressive.
• Grade II (Atypical) Meningiomas: These intermediate-grade tumors are more likely to recur after surgical removal. Subtypes include choroid and clear-cell meningiomas.
• Grade III (Anaplastic) Meningiomas: Malignant and aggressive, these tumors are characterized by rapid growth. Subtypes include papillary and rhabdoid meningiomas.

Meningiomas are more frequently diagnosed in women and older adults, but they can develop at any age.

Between November 2000 and June 2024, 46 cases of meningioma were reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), with medroxyprogesterone identified as either the primary or secondary suspect drug. Seven of these cases were classified as benign, one as malignant, and 38 were unspecified. Additionally, several other brain and central nervous system tumors were reported during this period.

What are the Adverse Health Effects of Meningioma?

Meningioma patients, including long-term survivors, frequently experience a range of chronic symptoms, including:

• Anxiety.
• Cognitive impairments.
• Depression.
• Epilepsy.
• Fatigue.
• Motor dysfunction.
• Persistent headaches.
• Speech disorders.
• Vision disturbances.

Others have experienced a decline in health-related quality of life and independent functioning (Alkemade et al., 2012; Frances et al., 2024).

Other complications can occur after surgery, including:

• Hematoma.
• Infection.
• Neurological decline.
• Death.

Cognitive impairments often persist even after surgical tumor removal (Meskal et al., 2016; Roland et al., 2024). Additionally, post-surgical patients face an increased risk of stroke and tumor-related mortality (Alkemade et al., 2012).

If you or someone you love has experienced adverse health complications from using Dep-Provera, call our drug injury lawyers at (850) 436-6340 today to learn more about your legal rights and options to pursue the manufacturer for your damages.

How Is a Meningioma Treated?

Surgery is typically the first-line treatment for malignant meningiomas when it is feasible. The goal is to obtain tissue for an accurate diagnosis and to remove as much of the tumor as possible while minimizing the risk of additional symptoms.

For individuals with atypical or anaplastic meningiomas, additional treatments are usually required following surgery. These may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or enrollment in clinical trials exploring new chemotherapy agents, targeted therapies, or immunotherapy options.

The patient’s healthcare team will consider several factors when deciding treatment:

• Patient’s age.
• Tumor type and location.
• Amount of tumor remaining after surgery.

In some cases, the tumor’s location may make it impossible to remove meningiomas through surgery. For these patients, doctors have looked into proton beam therapy as a possible treatment (Sato et al., 2021).

Who is Eligible to File a Depo-Provera Meningioma Lawsuit?

In response to the BMJ study, Depo-Provera’s manufacturer acknowledged the potential risks associated with long-term progestogen use and announced plans to collaborate with regulatory agencies to update product labels and patient information leaflets, as reported by The Guardian.

The study’s findings have significant implications, leading to numerous lawsuits against Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer. These lawsuits allege that Pfizer failed to warn users and healthcare providers adequately about the potential risks. Some also claim the company did not conduct sufficient testing before introducing Depo-Provera to the market.

You could qualify for a Depo-Provera lawsuit if you meet the following criteria:

• You used Pzizer’s brand name, Depo-Provera at least twice; OR
• You have used Pfizer’s brand name Depo-SubQ Provera at least twice; OR
• You have used an “authorized generic” version of Depo-Provera manufactured by Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Greenstone LLC, A-S Medication Solutions, Prasco Laboratories, or Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. at least twice, AND
• You were diagnosed with meningioma after the use of Depo-Provera or Depo-SubQ Provera as described above (our firm will also consider accepting for investigation descriptions of benign brain tumors).

Our drug injury lawyers will investigate your case and determine your right to take legal action against the Depo-Provera maker, Pfizer, during a free consultation by calling (850) 436-6340 today.

What Type of Compensation Can I Pursue By Filing a Depo-Provera Injury Claim?

In product liability cases, the severity and scope of a victim’s injuries primarily determine the extent to which they receive compensation through a settlement or jury verdict.

Common types of recoverable damages for a drug injury case include:

• Costs of medical treatment and medical expenses related to your injuries.
• Lost income/wages.
• Pain and suffering.
• Emotional distress.

Our drug injury lawyers will calculate your damages and work to get you the compensation you deserve, starting with a free consultation by calling (850) 436-6340 today.

Contact Our Depo-Provera Injury Lawyers to Investigate Your Case

Being harmed by a drug you trusted to safeguard your health is deeply unjust, and you shouldn’t have to face the consequences alone. Our Depo-Provera injury lawyers are here to provide the guidance, support, and advocacy you deserve. We understand the devastating impact a diagnosis like a meningioma or a brain tumor can have on your life, and we’re committed to holding negligent pharmaceutical companies accountable.

Contact us today at (850) 436-6340 to schedule a free consultation. We will investigate your case, explain your legal options, and fight tirelessly to secure the justice and compensation you deserve.