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Depo-Provera is renowned for its other name, “birth control shot.” It is an injection containing the hormone progestin to prevent pregnancy. This injection is well-known for preventing pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus, and thinning the lining of the uterus.
There are claims that this birth control injection has led to brain tumors and health issues. Women who got a Depo-Provera injection reportedly developed meningioma.
Now, many people have started to file lawsuits against the drug manufacturer and to get financial compensation for their losses.
This article will discuss the Depo-Provera lawsuit and what you need to understand to make a move against the drug manufacturers if you have a potential case. It is important to know your rights.
What is Depo-Provera?
In the 1990s, a famous drug manufactured by Pfizer, which contains a synthetic hormone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, named “Depo-Provera.”
In 1992, the FDA approved this contraceptive injection. This popular birth control injection is generally injected in the upper arms or buttocks, and the effect lasts for about 12 weeks. It is usually administered once every three months and is known for its convenience and high effectiveness.
This injection is effective in preventing many women from getting pregnant, making it one of the most used long-acting birth control injectable methods worldwide.
Still, apart from birth control, Depo-Provera has raised many concerns about its safety and side effects, including the development of meningiomas, which are typically noncancerous brain tumors.
More on Meningioma and the Connection Between Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors
Meningioma is a type of brain tumor that forms in the tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Usually, it develops in the brain’s membranes and puts pressure on the brain. This brain tumor requires surgical procedures to be removed.
Surgeons and researchers state that this meningioma tumor led to severe neurosurgical issues due to the rapid proximity of highly functional cortical areas and serious neurovascular structures. Brain structures can be damaged in patients, which may lead to seizures. After this tumor removal surgery, patients might also feel anxious or depressed.
It is essential to consider whether you used Depo-Provera and are feeling some unusual symptoms. Some of the common symptoms include:
- Frequent headaches
- Nausea or vomiting
- Irregular or no periods
- Vision changes
- Bloating
- Neurological issues
- Difficulty in speaking
- Seizures
Rare side effects are:
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Increased appetite
- Skin tone changes
- Vaginal dryness
Long-term side effects are:
- Severe allergic issues
- Increased risk of cancer
- Liver problems
- Blood clots
- Long-term infertility
In 2024, the British Medical Journal published the indication that Depo-Provera users experience an alarmingly 400% increase in risk for meningioma (brain tumors). Depo-Provera may be the reason for developing brain tumors because of its synthetic hormones. These hormones can disturb the hormonal balance in the body and lead to abnormal cell growth.
Allegations in Depo-Provera Lawsuits
The Depo-Provera lawsuits typically focus on claims that Pfizer, the drug manufacturer, failed to warn users about the drug’s potential risks and side effects. Women who have used Depo-Provera have reported a range of side effects, some of which are serious and permanent.
A study in BMJ Medicine found that women who use Depo-Provera have a higher risk of brain tumors. This risk is about 50% greater than for women who do not use hormonal contraceptives.
Other potential side effects that led to some allegations include:
1. Bone Density Loss
This is a primary concern that was raised in the Depo-Provera lawsuit. The usage of this Depo-Provera injection in the long term can lead to a severe decrease in bone mineral density, especially for women whose age is under 25. That was the perfect age, where the bone builds stronger. Loss of bone density can also lead to fractures, osteoporosis, and other bone-related problems.
2. Infertility Issues
Infertility is another problem caused by Depo-Provera. A few women claim that they faced various problems in becoming pregnant after they stopped using Depo-Provera. The primary issue is that users were not appropriately informed about the side effects and potential causes of Depo-Provera, which leads to infertility for women.
3. Mental Health Effects
Plaintiffs also raised many mental health concerns in the Depo-Provera lawsuit. Some women who used this contraceptive injection have reported mood swings, depression, and anxiety. The mental health effects can be severe and can reduce the quality of life. The Depo-Provera lawsuit raises concerns that birth control injections may harm women's mental health.
4. Weight Gain and Other Side Effects
Some plaintiffs of the Depo-Provera lawsuit reported weight gain, bloating, changes in the menstrual cycle, and other severe side effects. This has led to lawsuits, claiming that Depo-Provera’s side effects were not clearly explained.
Moreover, many side effects are reported in the Depo-Provera lawsuit, including the increase in complications of breast cancer, cardiovascular problems, and other permanent health issues.
Timeline of Depo-Provera Lawsuit
The connection between brain tumors and Depo-Provera was revealed gradually. The sections below explore the timeline of the Depo-Prover lawsuit.
Case Details: 2024
On March 27, the long-term use of the Depo-Provera contraceptive injection was connected to increased complications of developing brain tumors (meningiomas). Moreover, the study found that long-term use of Depo-Provera increases the risk of meningioma by about 5.6 times from the initial stage.
In a statement, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, Pfizer, said, “We are aware of this potential risk associated with long-term use of progestogens and, in collaboration with regulatory agencies, are in the process of updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording.” The contraceptive drug company plans to update its product labels and patient information in collaboration with regulatory agencies.
On October 1, a lawsuit was filed against Depo-Provera’s manufacturer in Federal court in California about the connection between the contraceptive drug and the risk of developing meningiomas, which was filed by a woman named Kristina Schmidt. The primary issue found and raised in this Depo-Provera lawsuit is that the manufacturers failed to warn about the side effects of the Depo-Provera injection.
Kristina began using the birth control injection Depo-Provera in 2005 and continued to use it till 2021. She experienced severe headaches and vertigo before being diagnosed with a meningioma in June 2022, necessitating brain surgery later that year.
Ajanna Lawson, another plaintiff, claimed that she developed two severe brain tumors that also needed removal by invasive treatments. So, on October 18, the lawsuit was filed against Pfizer and others in the federal U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. Lawson, at 16, started using Depo-Provera injection, which she used for the next 13 years from 2001, as mentioned in the complaint filed. After the tumor removal surgery, her doctors suggested that she discontinue Depo-Provera. Depo-Provera manufacturer U.S. label for Depo-Provera does not warn about meningioma risk, but Lawson noted that the Canadian label has included this warning since 2015.
Plaintiff Monique Jones filed a case against Pfizer on October 24 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. She developed an intracranial brain tumor through the repetitive usage of the birth control injection. Her case alleges that the defendants failed to test, disclose known health complications, and inform users of the side effects. The lawsuit contains counts related to design defects, negligence, and fraudulent misrepresentation.
Another plaintiff, Kathleen Fazio, filed a Depo-Provera lawsuit on October 28 against the drug manufacturer in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Fazio started using Depo-Provera in 1999 at the age of 31, and she continued till 2018. She received an “authorized generic” that works the same as the original.
In 2018, after undergoing meningioma surgery to remove brain tumors, she also underwent two more treatments. Fazio said her doctor suggested that it was safe to continue using Depo-Provera. She did not know that Depo-Provera could cause brain tumors until the March BMJ study got attention, according to the complaint.
Mayra Valencia is a user like Lawson; she used Depo-Provera in 2001 at the age of 16. She continued using that birth control injection throughout this year. In June, Valencia was found with a possible meningioma and had it operated on and removed in August. Mayra Valencia filed a lawsuit against Pfizer and others in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California on November 4.
On November 14, 2024, Tina Stephens-Smith and her husband, Harold Albert Smith III, complained about Pfizer in a Nevada federal court. This Depo-Provera lawsuit increased rapidly due to the growing number of cases related to Depo-Provera and meningiomas. Tina started using birth control injections around 2002, with a break of about two years in 2008. After experiencing many problems, like eye problems, headaches, and trouble communicating, she was diagnosed with three meningiomas in 2023.
Doctors removed one tumor from behind her eye, but she needed meningioma surgery for the other two. A brain tumor at the base of her skull did not shrink enough for surgery, even after 30 radiation treatments. She is still dealing with painful symptoms, as mentioned in her lawsuit.
Numerous lawsuits have been filed on November 15 against Pfizer, alleging the development of brain tumors and the connection between meningiomas and Depo-Provera. In every lawsuit, the similarity is that the drug manufacturer failed to warn the people and customers about the Depo-Provera injection. The plaintiffs used birth control injections for more than ten years and later required surgery and other treatments after developing a meningioma. Most people continued to use Depo-Provera temporarily because their doctors ensured it was safe.
On November 26, a petition was submitted to the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) to combine 22 ongoing claims about Depo-Provera and any future federal claims. The complaint claims that long-term use of Depo-Provera can cause brain tumors. It asks to set up the Multidistrict Litigation (MDL) in the Northern District of California, managed by either Judge William H. Orrick III or Judge John S. Tigar. Out of the 22 claims, 18 are currently in California Federal Court. The petition explains why California is the best place for this MDL. These reasons include the state’s large population of claimants, experienced judges, allowance for innovator liability, and drug manufacturer’s defined connections to the state.
On December 10, a new motion was made to combine all Depo-Provera claims into a single case. This motion stated that consolidating these claims would help make the process more efficient and avoid different decisions on the same issues. The request asked for Judge Josephine Staton to manage the combined cases. As of this filing, 28 claims are pending in Federal Court, mainly in California, and more will likely be joining soon.
Case Details: 2025
Defendants Pfizer Inc., Pharmacia & Upjohn Co. LLC, and Pharmacia LLC agreed to centralize all Depo-Provera claims into an MDL on 7th January. Meanwhile, recognizing and considering the lawsuits and legal aspects are a little complex. The defendants argue that since Pfizer is headquartered in New York City and the other defendants and most corporate witnesses are in the eastern U.S., the Southern District of New York (SDNY) would be the most convenient forum for these claims.
Recent Update:
As of the case filing date with the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML), 47 lawsuits are pending in federal courts across 12 regions. Many cases have been filed in California. The JPML will hold a hearing on this problem on January 30, 2025, in Miami, Florida.
What to Expect from a Depo-Provera Lawsuit
If you are considering filing a Depo-Provera lawsuit, it is essential to understand the steps involved.
Step 1: Consult with the right attorney. They should be a personal injury or product liability attorney.
Step 2: Filing the lawsuit with the help of your attorney with the prior regulations and legal complaint format. Along with the lawsuit, you should mention evidence of what you experienced from the product.
Step 3: Discovery of case details and exchange of evidence in front of judiciaries. The information and evidence may include medical records, researcher's testimonies, and witnesses.
Step 4: Negotiation and financial settlements are significant factors that are vital in many cases. This is the same in the Depo-Provera lawsuit as well. Compensations between plaintiffs and defendants can be achieved through negotiation.
Conclusion
The lawsuits highlight the need for appropriate communication about the risks of Depo-Provera, especially regarding brain tumors, bone density issues, and long-term infertility. If you believe Depo-Provera has harmed you, consult an experienced professional to understand your rights and possible compensation.
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