Lawsuit Information Center
This page provides clear answers to the most common questions about Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits about Depo Provera brain tumor lawsuits.
So many Depo Provera lawyers are explaining the same things over and over. We might be guilty of that ourselves. But this page is not about selling us to you—it is about answering the real questions you have about the litigation that are not be answered anywhere. We cut through the nonsense and tell you what you really need to know if you have a meningioma brain tumor and are considering signing up for these lawsuits.
We begin with information on Depo Provera generally and how it is linked. Most women reading this are well-versed in this information. If so, you can jump ahead to the details of what you need to know if you are considering bringing a Depo Provera lawsuit.
Our product liability lawyers are currently taking these cases in all 50 states. If you think you have a Depo Provera brain tumor case, call us today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.
What is Depo Provera?
Depo Provera is a female birth control drug taken by way of an injection that lasts for up to three months. Depo Provera is commonly called the “birth control shot” and it has been around since the early 1990s. Depo Provera is manufactured by Pfizer and it contains the synthetic hormone medroxyprogesterone acetate. It prevents pregnancy by halting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the uterine lining. Typically administered every three months, Depo-Provera is valued for its convenience and high effectiveness.
When Was Depo Provera Approved by the FDA?
Depo Prover was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration as an injectable female contraceptive drug in 1992. The FDA approval in 1992 was conditional, and it required the manufacturer to conduct post-approval clinical studies on the risk of osteoporosis.
Concerns about cancer risks related to Depo Provera were raised around the time of its FDA approval in 1992.Specifically, studies had suggested a potential link between the progestin hormone in Depo Provera and an increased risk of breast cancer, as well as a possible connection to ovarian and endometrial cancers. Meningioma was not at the top of the list at that point. These tumors had always been rare, at least before Depo Provera.
How Does Depo Provera Work?
Depo-Provera is a form of birth control that works by using a synthetic hormone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, to prevent pregnancy. Given as an injection every three months, Depo-Provera works through three main mechanisms:
- Prevents Ovulation: Depo-Provera stops the ovaries from releasing eggs, making it very unlikely for fertilization to occur.
- Thickens Cervical Mucus: The hormone increases the thickness of the cervical mucus, creating a barrier that makes it difficult for sperm to reach any eggs.
- Thins the Uterine Lining: Depo-Provera causes the lining of the uterus (endometrium) to thin, which reduces the likelihood of a fertilized egg implanting.
Depo-Provera is about 99% effective when used as directed, and its effects last up to 12-13 weeks, making it a convenient option for people who prefer not to use daily contraception methods. However, it may cause side effects like changes in menstrual cycles, weight gain, and potential bone density loss with long-term use, so it’s generally recommended to limit use to two years unless no other options are suitable.
What Are the Symptoms of Meningiomas?
The symptoms of meningiomas, which are tumors that develop in the meninges (the layers of tissue covering the brain and spinal cord), can vary widely depending on their size and location. Since these tumors often grow slowly, symptoms may develop gradually and worsen over time. Common symptoms include:
- Headaches: Frequent, persistent headaches that may worsen over time.
- Seizures: Particularly if the tumor affects the cerebral cortex.
- Vision Problems: Such as blurred or double vision, or loss of vision in one or both eyes.
- Hearing Loss or Ringing in the Ears: If the tumor is near the auditory nerve.
- Memory Loss or Cognitive Changes: Including confusion, difficulty concentrating, or personality changes.\Weakness in Limbs: Often one-sided, which can impact movement and coordination.
- Speech Difficulties: Slurred speech or difficulty forming words.
- Balance Issues: Difficulty walking or maintaining balance.
Because these symptoms can overlap with other conditions, a proper diagnosis through imaging, such as MRI or CT scans, is essential for determining the presence of a meningioma.
Does Depo Provera Cause Brain Tumors?
Recent scientific evidence is making it much harder for Pfizer to muster the argument that Depo Provera does not cause meningioma. The big new evidence—the final piece of the puzzle that led to the onslaught of plaintiffs’ lawyers seeking these cases-is a study published in a leading medical journal that show a downright stunning connection between “long-term” use of Depo Provera and the risk of developing meningioma brain tumors.
The study examined the relationship between the use of specific hormone medications, called progestogens, and the risk of developing a type of brain tumor known as meningioma. Researchers analyzed data from the French National Health Data System, focusing on women in France who had undergone surgery for meningioma.
The study involved a large sample size, including 108,366 women, of whom 18,061 had undergone meningioma surgery. This makes it a substantial study. The BMJ study found that women who used Depo Provera for at least six months were 5.5 times more likely to develop meningiomas compared to women who did not use Depo Provera.
Let that sink in—a 5.5 times higher risk. This finding was a seismic jolt in medical research—108,366 women, with 18,061 who had meningioma surgery, make this study one of the most comprehensive ever. We are not talking about a small, anecdotal study. This is an investigation on a grand scale. This finding does not whisper risk. It shouts it from the rooftops. You rarely see this level of proof for such a serious complication, particularly for a drug that has been out forever.
Did Pfizer Know About the Meningioma Risk of Depo Provera?
There is strong evidence that Pfizer and its predecessors in interest were well aware of the possible link between Depo Provera and meningioma brain tumors for a long time. The main reason for this it that there were several scientific studies about a link between Depo Provera and brain tumors that were published long before the BMJ study in March 2024.
One of the earliest studies suggesting a potential link between Depo Provera and meningiomas was published in the early 1980s. This study explored the link between progesterone and meningioma growth by analyzing hormone receptor concentrations in meningioma cells, particularly focusing on progesterone receptors. The research found that meningioma cells have a higher density of progesterone receptors than estrogen receptors.
A similar study was published in 1991 that indirectly provided compelling evidence to suggest that synthetic progesterone (the hormone used in Depo Provera) could stimulate the growth of meningiomas.
Pfizer, as the company behind Depo Provera, had access to this research and should have been fully aware of the growing body of evidence connecting the contraceptive injection to meningiomas. Despite this knowledge, the company failed to take appropriate action to warn medical professionals or the public about these risks. Instead of addressing these concerns or issuing proper warnings, Pfizer continued to market Depo Provera without any clear notification about the potential risks, allowing patients to remain uninformed. This inaction is a key element in the Depo shot lawsuits currently being filed.
Is There a Depo Provera Class Action?
As of November 2024, there is no active Depo Provera class action lawsuit. But lawyers are filing the number of Depo Provera brain tumor lawsuits being filed across the country is increasing. Due to the growing number of cases, it is expected that, in the coming months, these lawsuits may be consolidated into a MDL in federal courts.
An MDL is not all good for plaintiffs, particularly those with the best claims. But mostly, as we discuss in a second, it is a solid path to getting a global settlement.
Will There Be a Depo Provera Class Action Lawsuit?
There will be a Depo Provera class action lawsuit. Again, technically, it is not a class action. It is an MDL.
What a Depo Provera MDL would do is bring together numerous cases from across the country under one court’s oversight. A single federal judge handles all pretrial steps—such as discovery, evidence gathering, and expert testimony—to streamline the litigation and address that common questions This structure helps efficiently manage the complex science (I say complex, I’m not sure it is actually that complex) around Depo-Provera’s risks and its potential link to meningiomas.
If Depo Provera Turns Into an MDL Class Action Lawsuit, What Will I Be Required to Do?
Many people picture an MDL class action lawsuit as a highly individualized process, involving extensive depositions and courtroom appearances. The reality in 2024 for most women in a Depo Provera MDL will be much different. If Depo Provera becomes part of an MDL or a class action, your involvement will likely be minimal.
In an MDL, cases are grouped together to streamline pretrial proceedings, allowing each plaintiff to retain an individual lawsuit without the need for in-depth, case-by-case discovery. Instead of extensive questioning, plaintiffs typically complete a fact sheet—a standard questionnaire that covers key information about your experience with Depo Provera, your medical history, and any injuries you’ve suffered. This approach makes it easier to share relevant information without requiring individualized discovery for each case.
If the case reaches a settlement which our lawyers strongly expect to be the outcome of an MDL Depo Provera class action lawsuit, you’ll be notified about any steps needed to claim your settlement compensation (or how to opt-out of a settlement). MDLs structures allow the vast majority of plaintiffs to pursue claims with minimal demands on their time—and privacy— while ensuring that their voices are heard in the larger litigation.
What If I Took Generic Depo Provera?
If you took generic Depo Provera, there are issues but our lawyers think they can be resolved. The problem is the Supreme Court has ruled that generic drug manufacturers are protected from liability for design defects under the doctrine of preemption. The thinking is that because generic drug manufacturers are required by law to replicate the brand-name drug’s composition exactly, they cannot independently alter the drug’s design or formulation.
But Pfizer manufactured most of the generic Depo Provera. So Pfizer’s involvement with generic drug manufacturing and its influence over the labeling process challenges the typical preemption protections that shield generic drug manufacturers. Through its control over affiliated companies and strategic partnerships with authorized generic manufacturers, Pfizer’s role goes beyond mere brand-name oversight. This close connection obliterates the lines between brand-name and generic liability. If Pfizer can dictate the labeling and distribution of generic drugs, shouldn’t it be held accountable for any harm caused by those drugs? The answer is yes.
Do I Qualify For a Depo Provera Lawsuit?
Determining whether you are eligible to file a Depo Provera lawsuit involves two very simple questions. First, did you get the Depo Provera birth control shot at least twice? Second, have you been diagnosed with meningiomas? If the answer to both of these questions is yes, then you qualify to file a Depo Provera lawsuit.
What Will Depo Provera Settlements Look Like?
If you are considering filing a Depo Provera lawsuit, you might be wondering how much money you could potentially expect to get in a settlement. This is a natural question for anyone to ask when weighing whether filing a lawsuit will be worthwhile.
If causation evidence stands up in court, our attorneys estimate that most successful Depo-Provera brain tumor cases with significant complications will have settlement amounts ranging from $275,000 to $750,000. This wide range reflects the varying severity of meningiomas.
That is the prediction. Now the caveats. It is early. At this stage of litigation, it is too early to predict with any accuracy what the potential settlement value of these cases could be. We can still make reasonable projections, however, based on prior settlements in similar cases.
The impact of symptoms, prognosis, and treatment options differs greatly between a Grade I (non-cancerous) meningioma and a malignant Grade III meningioma. Grade III meningiomas are potentially life-threatening and highly serious, while Grade I meningiomas are generally much less harmful and rarely life-threatening.
- More analysis of Depo Provera settlement amounts
Contact Us About a Depo Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit
If you are thinking about filing a Depo Provera lawsuit, call our national product liability lawyers today at 800-553-8082 or contact us online.