Depo-Provera is the brand name of an injectable form of the hormone progestin, a synthetic version of the natural hormone progesterone. It is commonly used for birth control and as a treatment for endometriosis.
Starting in 2024, published reports in the medical literature found a link between Depo-Provera and brain tumors called intracranial meningiomas. Some Depo-Provera users who developed these tumors have begun filing lawsuits.
If you used Depo-Provera and have developed an intracranial meningioma, get in touch with an attorney at Phillips Law Group right away. You may have grounds to file a lawsuit against Pfizer, the drug’s manufacturer, seeking compensation for your losses.
Intracranial Meningiomas Cause Varied Symptoms
Intracranial meningiomas are tumors that develop in the brain or spinal cord. They are typically benign, but depending on the size and location, they can cause disturbing and debilitating symptoms.
Sometimes, people have these tumors for years before symptoms develop. Some typical symptoms a person with an intracranial meningioma might experience include:
- Headache
- Loss of the sense of smell
- Hearing loss or tinnitus
- Vision problems
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Weakness in the limbs
- Seizures
- Memory loss
- Changes in personality or behavior
Intracranial meningiomas typically grow slowly, so symptoms might be subtle but become more severe over time.
When an intracranial meningioma produces severe symptoms, surgery to remove the tumor may be necessary. Brain surgery is highly invasive, dangerous, and requires a long recovery. Depending on the location of the tumor, surgical risks include vision loss, cognitive impairment, and other serious complications.
Depo-Provera and the Connection with Intracranial Meningiomas
The first major study to connect the use of Depo-Provera to intracranial meningiomas was published in The British Medical Journal in March, 2024. The study used data from the French Health Service concerning over 100,000 women.
The study found that women who used Depo-Provera and other similar hormones for more than one year had a significantly increased incidence of intracranial meningiomas. Women who had used Depo-Provera were almost six times more likely to have been diagnosed with intracranial meningioma than women who had not taken artificial hormones.
Depo-Provera has been on the market in the United States, Canada, and Europe for decades. There is a question whether Pfizer, the manufacturer, should have noted the increased rate of intracranial meningioma among users and warned of the danger. Attorneys and others are looking into this question, so if you have been diagnosed with intracranial meningioma and have used Depo-Provera, contact our attorneys for the most up-to-date information.
Depo-Provera User Lawsuits Against Pfizer
The first lawsuit in the U.S. seeking compensation from Pfizer related to Depo-Provera and intracranial meningioma was filed in October, 2024 in Indiana. Several more lawsuits have since been filed in the U.S.
If you have taken Depo-Provera for an extended period and also been diagnosed with intracranial meningioma, contact an attorney at Phillips Law Group. There may be an opportunity for you to join a mass tort action or file an individual lawsuit seeking compensation from the drug’s manufacturer.
Act quickly if you think you may have a claim. Arizona Revised Statutes §12-542 requires you to file a lawsuit within two years of the injury. However, the two-year clock does not begin running if you did not know the cause of your injury. Our legal professionals can review your case and preserve your right to sue.
Contact Phillips Law Group if You Used Depo-Provera and Developed a Brain Tumor
Although an intracranial meningioma is a benign tumor, it can have a significant impact on the quality of your life. There are considerable risks if you must have it surgically removed, and recovering from the surgery is difficult.
Talk to us at Phillips Law Group about the link between Depo-Provera and brain tumors. We have the most up-to-date information about the science and legal developments. Get in touch to learn more today.
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