According to recent clinical studies, the hormonal contraceptive medication Depo-Provera has a strong link to an increased risk of intracranial meningioma, a rare type of brain tumor. It is believed that the active ingredient in Depo-Provera, medroxyprogesterone acetate, might be responsible for this heightened risk. People who use this injectable “birth control shot” are being urged to talk to their medical providers about this possible side effect and potential birth control alternatives if they may be at risk.
What is Intracranial Meningioma?
The brain and spinal cord are covered by a protective membrane called the meninges. Intracranial meningioma is a specific type of brain tumor that forms in the meninges over the brain. As the tumor grows, it becomes more and more dangerous as it starts to apply pressure on nerves, blood vessels, and neurons within the brain.
Intracranial meningioma may cause these serious symptoms:
- Blindness
- Deafness
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Stroke
- Frequent migraines
In severe cases, intracranial meningioma can cause death due to significant pressure on the brain resulting in cellular damage and possibly low blood-oxygen levels in the brain. To remove intracranial meningioma, brain surgery is usually required, which will carry its own set of risks and potential complications.
How Does Depo-Provera Cause Intracranial Meningioma?
In the 1920s, medical research found a convincing link between hormonal issues and intracranial meningiomas. In the 1980s, an in-depth analysis of meningiomas determined that around 85% of such tumors have progesterone receptors on their surfaces. Together, this information forms the basis for connecting the medroxyprogesterone acetate in Depo-Provera to an increased risk of intracranial meningioma.
More recent research indicates this connection exists, though. Clinical data from the 2000s shows that synthetic progesterone-like molecules like those found in cyproterone acetate medication made patients 1900% more likely to develop intracranial meningioma than people who did not use such medications. This finding was so alarming that cyproterone acetate medication was removed from the U.S. medical market.
Most recently, a March 2024 study focused on the risk of intracranial meningioma while using synthetic progestins, like the medroxyprogesterone acetate in Depo-Provera. The peer-reviewed research concluded that this hormonal contraceptive in particular made users five times more likely to develop intracranial meningioma, sometimes within just a few years of starting the medication. The findings also concluded that the meningioma risk seemingly caused by the “birth control shot” increased the most after using the contraceptive for more than one year.
Can You Sue Pfizer for Injuries Linked to Depo-Provera?
Pfizer is the manufacturer of Depo-Provera. It has been accused of not providing adequate warning to the medical community and users of Depo-Provera about its link to intracranial meningioma. The argument is that with so many years of research indicating that meningioma formation could be more likely in people who are using synthetic progestins, Pfizer knew or reasonably should have known about this risk, and that its failure to warn patients can be seen as a form of negligence.
Pfizer is expected to see a wave of Depo-Provera lawsuits to form against it soon. Patients nationwide are already talking to legal professionals about their rights as injured Depo-Provera and Depo-Prover SC users who now demand justice and fair compensation.
You may be eligible to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit if:
- You used Depo-Provera after 1992, and/or Depo-SubQ Provera 104 after 2004;
- You were diagnosed with intracranial meningioma at least one year after starting Depo-Provera; or,
- You lost a loved one who used a form of Depo-Provera and later passed away from intracranial meningioma complications.
If you think you may be eligible to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit, you should prepare by collecting information relating to:
- Dates when you used Depo-Provera;
- Types of Depo-Provera you used;
- Sites where you injected Depo-Provera;
- Medication name if generic;
- Information about medical providers who prescribed Depo-Provera for you;
- Information about medical providers who administered at least one dose of Depo-Provera;
- Information about pharmacies that filled out at least one Depo-Provera prescription; and,
- Information about medical providers who treated you for Depo-Provera side effects, including but not limited to intracranial meningioma.
Most of the above information can be found in your medical records. If you need help obtaining a copy of your medical records, let your attorney know.
Talk to Our Depo-Provera Lawsuit Attorneys
Learn if you can file a Depo-Provera injury lawsuit against Pfizer by coming to Matthews & Associates. Our attorneys are following stories and medical reports of Depo-Provera’s prominent link to intracranial meningioma, and we are asking anyone who might have been injured by this injectable contraceptive to talk to our legal team. The more Depo-Provera users we hear from, the stronger each potential case against Pfizer can become.
Matthews & Associates offers nationwide representation for potential Depo-Provera injury lawsuit clients. Call (888) 923-7001 or fill out an online contact form today.
