Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Depo-Provera, a well-known contraceptive shot, has recently been shown to significantly increase the risk of a particular type of brain and spinal cord tumors called meningiomas. Women have begun filing lawsuits, claiming they were not warned about the potential dangers associated with the medication. Chaffin Luhana defective product attorneys are currently investigating cases in which patients took Depo-Provera and then suffered from a meningioma. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a meningioma after receiving at least four injections of Depo-Provera, we are available to discuss your legal options with you.

What Is the Connection Between Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors?

A recent study has raised alarm about the possible connection between Depo-Provera and a certain type of brain or spinal tumor.

Published in the British Medical Journal in March 2024, the study involved over 108,000 women, of which 18,061 underwent intracranial surgery (brain surgery) for meningioma between January 2009 and December 2018.

Pfizer Has Yet to Provide Adequate Warnings in the U.S.

Pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera must ensure that their products are safe for their intended use. They must also provide clear warnings about any potential risks that may be associated with the use of the product. Patients and healthcare providers rely on this safety information when deciding which product to use.

At the time of this writing, Pfizer has not yet provided any warnings about the potential link between Depo-Provera and the increased risk of meningiomas, even though such a warning has been added to European labels.

Although Pfizer has updated the U.S. label on at least 13 occasions since 2003, with the most recent update coming in July 2024, but they still have not warned of the risk of brain tumors.

Chaffin Luhana Investigating Brain Tumors Cases Related to Depo-Provera

The Chaffin Luhana law firm is examining cases in which patients took Depo-Provera and then suffered from meningiomas. We are also following the scientific investigation into the drug.   If you or a loved one was has suffered from a brain or spinal tumor and you believe Depo-Provera was the cause, contact one of our personal injury lawyers today. We are passionate advocates for plaintiffs who were harmed by drugs that were supposed to be safe and stand ready to help you pursue compensation to the fullest extent allowed under the law.

Call us today at 888-480-1123.

What is a Meningioma?

Meningioma is a tumor “that grows from the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, called the meninges,” according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s the most common type of tumor that forms in the head and most often occurs in women.

According to the Mayo Clinic, most meningiomas are benign (not cancerous) and grow very slowly. But sometimes, they can cause serious or life-threatning symptoms and affect nearby brain tissues, nerves, or vessels, or may cause serious disability. Symptoms may include:

• Changes in vision
• Headaches
• Hearing loss
• Memory loss
• Loss of smell
• Difficulty speaking
• Seizures
• Weakness in the arms and legs
• Death

When meningiomas put pressure on the brain, doctors often recommend that these tumors be removed. This requires a brain surgery in which a portion of the skull is removed to access the brain and meninges. This type of surgery carries risk, not least to the brain structures near the tumors, which can sometimes be damaged.This type of surgery may lead to seizures requiring medication.

Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may also be required in some cases as the sensitive location of the tumor may render complete removal highly risky and technically difficult. Some meningiomas can become cancerous, after which they are much more dangerous.

What Did the Research Show Concerning Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors?

The researchers in the study compared the women’s use of different types of progestogens and their incidence of meningioma. The progestogens included:

• Progesterone
• Hydroxyprogesterone
• Dydrogesterone
• Medrogestone
• Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera)
• Promegestone
• Dienogest
• Intrauterine levonorgestrel (used in IUDs)

The results showed that prolonged use of three types of progestogens increased the risk of meningioma. These three were:

1. Medrogestone
2. Medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera)
3. Promegestone

More specifically, researchers found that prolonged use—more than 12 months—of these three progestogens was associated with a greater risk of meningioma that required surgery. Depo-Provera was associated with the highest risk—5.6-fold higher—while medrogestone and promegestone were linked to a 4.1 and 2.7-fold greater risk, respectively.

Results showed no excess risk of the brain tumor for progesterone, dydrogesterone, or levonorgestrel intrauterine systems. The scientists couldn’t be sure about dienogest or hydroxyprogesterone because so few women received those drugs.

The scientists concluded: “The increased risk associated with the use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate, a widely used contraceptive, and the safety of levonorgestrel intrauterine systems are important new findings.” They called for more studies into the safety of these hormones, primarily medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Earlier Research Links Depo-Provera with Brain Tumors

Previous research had linked a handful of high-dose progestogens—cyproterone acetate, nomegestrol acetate, and chlormadinone acetate—with an increased risk of meningiomas. But this latest study was one of only a few that showed other types of progestogens may also be associated with a similar risk.

Another similar study was published in Cancers in September 2024. Researchers used a large commercial insurance database to match patients with meningioma and their potential exposure to medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA, sold as Depo-Provera).

The results showed that oral exposure to MDA was not associated with any increased risk of meningioma, but the injection was associated with a startling 53 percent increased odds of developing the tumors. The association became stronger the longer the duration of use of injected MPA.

The researchers wrote, “Women should be cautioned about the prolonged use of MPA, and future research should examine whether the extended use of MPA is associated with the meningioma grade.”

A smaller study had found similar results. Published in the Journal of Neurological Surgery Part B in 2023, it followed 25 female patients with a mean age of 46 years who had one or more intracranial meningiomas related to long-term use of medroxyprogesterone acetate (Depo-Provera). The mean duration of use was 15.5 years.

When the researchers performed progesterone immunohistochemical staining on the removed tumors, they found that they all tested positively for the presence of progesterone. When 10 of the patients were told to stop taking the medication, five had clear evidence of tumor shrinkage.

“There appears to be a clear progestin meningioma syndrome associated with chronic DMPA [depot medroxyprogesterone acetate] use,” the scientists concluded.

Progesterone Receptors Found in Meningioma Cells

Even as far back as 1983, a study published in the European Journal of Cancer & Clinical Oncology found a high concentration of progesterone receptors in human meningioma cells. The results showed that meningioma cells possess a greater density of progesterone receptors compared to estrogen receptors. That suggests that meningiomas could be influenced by progesterone levels.

In 1991, another study found that an anti-progesterone agent helped reduce the growth of meningiomas by blocking progesterone from binding to their receptors. This added to the evidence that progesterone plays a central role in promoting the growth of meningiomas, which means that Pfizer at the very least should have known about a potential connection between its contraceptive and the risk of meningiomas.

What Is Depo-Provera?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) in October 1992 as a contraceptive. The drug had already been available in the U.S. since 1969 for noncontraceptive purposes such as for the treatment of endometrial cancer, and had been used in developing countries to prevent conception for many years.

At the time, the drug’s approval increased the number of available contraceptives to women, but there were concerns about it. The FDA had not approved it before they did because some studies revealed a link between it and breast tumors and cervical cancer in animals.

At the time of its approval, however, research by the World Health Organization (WHO) showed no connection with cervical or ovarian cancer. Rather, Depo-Provera seemed protective against endometrial cancer.

Each Depo-Provera injection delivers an injectable form of birth control containing the hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate, which is a synthetic progestin in a water-based solution. Unlike other forms of birth control that have to be taken every day, Depo-Provera is given every three months, or about every 12 weeks, via an intramuscular injection.

It prevents ovulation and thickens the cervical mucus to block sperm from reaching the egg, protecting against pregnancy. It has a failure rate of only .5 percent per year, making it one of the most effective reversible contraceptives available.

The product quickly became popular because of its ease of use, particularly among women who found daily oral contraceptives inconvenient. Because it is progesterone-based, it’s also popular among women who want to avoid estrogen exposure.

In 2004, the FDA approved the Depo-SubQ Provera 104 variant as a treatment for endometriosis. Today, Depo-Provera is available in generic form, but many generic versions are still manufactured by Pfizer and then sold as generics by various companies.

Plaintiffs Filing Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuits

Some women have already filed Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits against Pfizer. On October 1, 2024, for example, a California woman filed a complaint against Pfizer, Pharmacia & Upjohn, and related generic companies claiming that Depo-Provera caused or substantially contributed to her brain tumor. According to her case, she took the injection from 2005 until 2022, when at the age of 37, she was diagnosed with a meningioma. She underwent a 3-hour surgery to remove it. She remained unaware, until recently, that her use of Depo-Provera may have been connected to her tumor.

On October 15, 2024, a married couple filed a similar Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit in Indiana, claiming that the wife’s long-term injections of the contraceptive contributed to her meningioma. She received the medication from 1995 through 2007, then stopped for six months, then started again and continued until 2018. In July 2017, she underwent surgery to remove a meningioma, but she continued to use Depo-Provera because neither she nor her doctors were aware of a possible connection. She also underwent 36 rounds of radiation treatments to halt the growth of the tumor.

Other lawsuits have followed, and the number is expected to increase.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Depo-Provera, and how does it work?

Depo-Provera is a birth control injection that contains a synthetic progestin hormone, medroxyprogesterone acetate. It is effective at preventing pregnancy but has been linked with the potential increased risk of benign brain tumors called meningiomas.

Is there a proven link between Depo-Provera and meningiomas?

Several recent studies suggest that the prolonged use of Depo-Provera and some similar progestogen contraceptives may significantly increase the risk of meningiomas. Women with a family history of tumors or who have taken the injection for many years may be at a higher risk.

What are some of the common side effects associated with Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera can cause side effects such as bone density loss, menstrual irregularities, mood changes, weight gain, headaches, and nausea. The product contains a Black Box Warning concerning bone density loss, as it can lead to long-term consequences such as osteoporosis and an increased risk of fractures.

How can I join a Depo-Provera lawsuit if I believe I’ve been harmed?

If you think Depo-Provera led to the development of your tumor, consult with a qualified personal injury attorney right away. The Chaffin Luhana firm offers a free initial consultation and can help you determine if you have a viable case, as well as guide you through the necessary steps to pursue compensation.

Should I stop taking Depo-Provera?

If you are concerned about the risks associated with Depo-Provera, talk to your doctor. Most are now aware of the risks of brain tumors and they can advise you on what may be best for your health and potentially suggest other possible contraceptives you could use.

What should I do if I experience severe side effects while on Depo-Provera?

If you are experiencing serious or severe side effects that you believe are related to Depo-Provera, talk to your doctor first. They can assess your symptoms and let you know how best to treat them. Keep track of your medical records as they will be important if you decide to pursue legal action later on.

How long do the effects of Depo-Provera last after I stop receiving injections?

For some users, it can take several months to over a year for fertility and normal menstrual cycles to return. How long it takes varies from person to person, so if you’re trying to conceive, talk to your doctor about when it may be best to stop taking Depo-Provera.

Are there alternative birth control options with fewer risks?

Yes, many alternative contraceptive methods have different risk profiles. Options include oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), implants, patches, and more. Talk to your doctor about which one may be best for you based on your health history and personal preferences.

Can meningiomas related to Depo-Provera be treated?

Meningiomas are typically benign and slow-growing, which means that as long as they’re not causing symptoms, it is best to watch and wait. If the tumor does start causing symptoms, your doctor may advise brain surgery to remove it or may recommend radiation or chemotherapy treatment. In most cases, meningiomas can be treated or even cured.