On October 1, 2024, the first Depo-Provera brain meningioma lawsuit was filed. The plaintiff alleges Pfizer failed to warn that Depo-Provera could increase the risk of developing meningioma tumors. They further allege Pfizer knew or should have known of the risks but did nothing to inform doctors and patients of these dangers.
An influx of Depo-Provera lawsuits is expected in the coming months and into next year. Like previous dangerous drug cases, the number of lawsuits will grow alongside awareness of the connection between prolonged use of the birth control shot and meningiomas.
As dangerous drug lawyers, we’re following the development of Depo cases and will continue to post articles about this topic. This article, the first of several, provides a general overview of what you need to know about Depo-Provera, including what it is and how it works, the risks and side effects, and who should and shouldn’t take it. We’ll also keep you informed as the Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits develop and explain the legal options to seek justice and compensation.
What is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera has long been referred to as the birth control shot or Depo shot. Administered every three months, the progestin-based injection is a very effective form of birth control when used as intended. It was approved by the FDA in 1992 and remains the only birth control shot approved for use in the United States.
There are many benefits of Depo-Provera; not only does it help prevent pregnancy, it decreases the risk of endometrial cancer, lessens menstrual blood flow or even stops menstruation completely, and decreases menstrual cramps and pain.
Beyond those benefits, other reasons the Depo shot appeals to women is because it doesn’t require a daily pill, and contains progestin, a synthetic form of progesterone, rather than estrogen. The risks of estrogen-based contraceptives are more widely known, namely, how they can cause blood clots, and have been linked to breast cancer.
How Does Depo-Provera Work?
Medroxyprogesterone acetate, (brand name Depo-Provera), is a contraceptive injection. It contains progestin, a synthetic hormone, and must be injected into muscles, like the arm or buttocks. There are two dosages available for the Depo shot. The lower dosage product is called Depo-subQ Provera 104, which is a newer version containing 30% less progestin, and is a subcutaneous injection that goes in the thigh or abdomen.
Depo-Provera shots are given every 12-13 weeks, or about every three months, and protect against pregnancy for up to 14 weeks when given on time and used as intended. The birth control shot typically works by preventing ovulation (ovaries do not release an egg). It also makes the cervical mucus thicker, preventing sperm from reaching an egg.
For most, a doctor or nurse administers the Depo-Provera shot. However, some health centers provide the supplies for patients to give themselves the lower dose, Depo-subQ Provera 104, at home.
Side Effects of Depo-Provera
There are possible side effects of Depo-Provera, as noted on the product’s label and prescribing information. The most common Depo-Provera side effects are related to the patient’s period, including increased or decreased menstrual bleeding or spotting. It’s also common to skip periods or for them to stop altogether, which is completely safe.
Other side effects of the birth control shot include:
- Headaches
- Nausea
- Depression
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
- Weakness and fatigue
- Abdominal pain
- Bloating
- Decreased sexual interest
Those who experience adverse reactions vary, and most symptoms fade over the first few months. However, it’s important to discuss serious side effects with your doctor, such as difficulty breathing, injection site infections (pain, redness, itching, pus, or bleeding), severe abdominal pain, depression, heavy bleeding, and allergic reactions. If you’re unsure or concerned about a possible side effect, it’s always best to see a doctor.
Serious Risks of Depo-Provera
There are some more serious health risks of taking the birth control shot. There’s a warning label on Depo-Provera that says there’s a risk of it causing loss of bone mineral density. It warns that it could increase the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures later in life and that it’s unknown if use during adolescence or early adulthood will reduce peak bone mass. The warning label was added due to extensive research showing an association between the shot and bone loss. The FDA warning on Depo packaging also cautions that the product shouldn’t be used for longer than two years.
Though the U.S. Depo-Provera label does not include a warning about an increased risk of meningiomas, significant scientific research has shown a connection between the brain tumors and the use of birth control shots. European labels of the birth control shot note this risk, and with the recent Depo meningioma lawsuits being filed in the U.S., it’s important to consider this may be a serious, life-changing risk that could even be fatal.
What to Consider Before Taking Depo-Provera
According to Depo-Provera medical information from Pfizer, there are several circumstances when someone should not use the shot. Examples of when Depo should not be taken include if you have or had breast cancer, have unexplained vaginal bleeding, ever had blood clots in the arms, legs, or lungs, had a stroke, or have liver problems or liver disease.
In addition to the possible side effects and risks detailed in this post, there are other factors to consider before taking Depo-Provera, including the potential delay of fertility after stopping the shot; it can take 10 months or more before ovulation begins again once the shot is stopped. Anyone hoping to get pregnant sooner should know they may struggle to get pregnant for a while.
There’s also the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that Depo-Provera users should be aware of. The birth control shot doesn’t prevent the spread of STIs, so other strategies to protect from these infections should be considered.
About Depo-Provera Lawsuits
In March 2024, a study published in the British Medical Journal revealed a concerning link between an increased risk of brain tumors, specifically meningiomas, and prolonged use of Depo-Provera. This was not the first study to uncover such serious health risks associated with Depo-Provera progestin-based birth control. And yet, the manufacturer has failed to add a warning label about brain tumors, even though European labels have added the health risk to their label.
It’s likely the release of the study results in the British Medical Journal sparked the first few Depo-Provera lawsuits that allege Pfizer failed to warn patients of the risk of the birth control shot causing meningiomas. With significant research connecting such a serious health condition to Depo-Provera, widespread dangerous pharmaceutical lawsuits are expected.
It’s possible that Depo-Provera meningioma lawsuits will eventually be consolidated into multidistrict litigation (MDL), but not a class action. MDL will provide a streamlined, more efficient process for the lawsuits, but allow for compensation to be based on the unique case of each plaintiff. Since there are three grades of meningiomas, with some women requiring multiple invasive surgeries, and/or radiation therapy or chemotherapy, it’s important to consider cases on an individual basis.
The dangerous drug lawyers at Childers, Schlueter & Smith are accepting clients who developed meningiomas after prolonged use of Depo-Provera. We can help get the justice and compensation you deserve for your suffering. If you or a loved one developed a meningioma and received birth control shots, contact us online or call 1-800-641-0098 to discuss your legal options.
