The Depo-Provera® Brain Tumor Lawsuit

If you’ve taken Depo-Provera® or an authorized generic version of the birth control shots and developed cancerous or benign meningioma, you could be owed a settlement from its manufacturer. Read on to learn more about Depo-Provera, the harmful side effects being reported by users, and who can join the Depo-Provera lawsuit.

What is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is an injectable form of birth control. It’s a popular brand name of medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic version of the hormone progesterone. Unlike most oral contraceptives, Depo-Provera does not need to be taken daily, but is instead administered about every 12 weeks. It’s often referred to as simply “the birth control shot” and is considered an effective way to prevent pregnancy for those who can’t or don’t want to take estrogen. 

Depo-Provera is the standard version of these Pfizer-manufactured shots, but some patients may instead take Depo‐SubQ Provera®. Both shots are similar when it comes to how they work and the risks of taking them, but Depo‐SubQ Provera is a lower dosage that is injected into the skin rather than the muscle.

In some cases, Depo-Provera may also be used to treat conditions such as endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding, and certain types of cancer.

Additionally, users may have taken 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. All of these generic versions and both types of Depo-Provera can qualify a user for the Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit.

What is meningioma?

Meningioma is the most common type of primary brain tumor. There are multiple types and grades of meningioma, but they all form on the meninges, which are layers of tissue around the brain and spine. Meningioma is often benign, but can be malignant, or cancerous.  Whether they are cancerous or not, these tumors can be dangerous.

Symptoms of meningioma may be minimal at first, as this is a slow-growing type of tumor. However, once a tumor becomes large enough to press on the brain or spinal cord, patients may experience dizziness, nausea and vomiting, seizures, vision problems, issues with memory, and more. 

Does Depo-Provera cause brain tumors?

While the exact cause of meningioma is not yet fully understood, research has found prolonged use of medroxyprogesterone acetate can increase the risk of meningioma.

One French study conducted on over 108,000 women showed the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate created a fivefold increase in the likelihood of developing a brain tumor, with prolonged use of more than a year increasing patients’ risk. Another study specifically found a link between cerebral meningioma and the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Studies like these are helping build and support the case against Depo-Provera.

Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit

Manufacturers of Depo-Provera and other medroxyprogesterone acetate shots acknowledge a range of possible side effects including depression, hair loss, headaches, weight gain, and even seizures. However, as previously noted, evidence is mounting that Depo-Provera and other medroxyprogesterone acetate medications may cause a much more severe side effect in the form of meningioma. 

Unlike the other side effects listed above, the Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits argue users were not adequately warned by manufacturers about the risk of developing meningioma when taking these birth control shots. The lawsuits allege Pfizer should have been aware of these risks and made them clear to both doctors and users. This negligence may have put numerous women’s lives and health at risk.

As a result, dozens of lawsuits have been filed on behalf of women in states including Ohio, Florida, and California. These women all developed brain tumors after using medroxyprogesterone acetate birth control shots like Depo-Provera.

Joining the Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit

If you or a loved one took Depo-Provera or Depo‐SubQ Provera shots at least twice and later developed meningioma, you could be owed compensation from Pfizer. Others who took 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. could also be owed a settlement from these manufacturers.

Fill out the form below or call today to contact the team at Woods & Woods for a free and confidential case evaluation.

Depo-Provera® and Depo-SubQ Provera® are registered trademarks of Pfizer. The trademarks listed are used here only for the purpose of identifying the products in question. Woods & Woods, LLC is not affiliated with, sponsored by or associated with Pfizer, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Greenstone LLC, A‐S Medication Solutions, Prasco Laboratories, or Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc. Never stop taking a medication without first asking your doctor.