In a new study, the contraceptive injection Depo-Provera was found to have a potential link to a heightened risk for brain tumors — specifically an increased the risk of intracranial meningioma — in some women. If you have suffered a brain tumor after taking this medication, you may be entitled to filing a Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit, and Phillips Law Group can help you determine your legal options.
What is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate, a contraceptive injection containing the hormone progestin. It is administered as an injection every three months.
“Depo-Provera typically suppresses ovulation, keeping your ovaries from releasing an egg. It also thickens cervical mucus to keep sperm from reaching the egg,” the Mayo Clinic website reports.
Some potential side effects of using Depo-Provera include abdominal pain, bloating, depression, dizziness, headaches, irregular periods and breakthrough bleeding, weight gain, and more. On Pfizer’s website, an increased risk of developing brain or spinal tumors is not listed as a potential side effect of getting the injection, although it does note a possible increased risk of breast cancer compared to non-users.
Other Uses for Depo-Provera Besides Birth Control
As mentioned above, Depo-Provera’s primary purpose is to serve as a contraceptive by preventing ovulation and making mucus in the cervix thicker so it is harder for sperm to pass through it. It also thins the lining of the uterus so that eggs are less likely to implant in it and creates an environment within the uterus that is not conducive to sperm survival.
Because of all these effects of the drug, though, Depo-Provera has been prescribed to treat various other conditions related to menstrual and uterine health, including:
- Endometriosis
- Hormonal imbalances which result in abnormal, missing, or irregular periods
- Menstrual disorders resulting in heavy or painful bleeding
- Treating symptoms of, but not curing, uterine fibroids
- Limiting bleeding after childbirth
- Reducing the risk of women developing endometrial cancer, especially those with a history of conditions like endometrial hyperplasia
Unfortunately, all uses of Depo-Provera have the potential to cause harmful and potentially life-threatening side effects like the ones described above, all of which a qualified attorney may be able to help file a lawsuit over.
Potential Increased Risk of Brain Tumors
According to a report in the British Medical Journal (BMJ), the use of Depo-Provera increased the risk of intracranial meningioma 5.6-fold if used for more than a year.
“In countries for which the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate for birth control is frequent [74 million users worldwide], the number of attributable meningiomas may be potentially high,” the study’s research team, led by a general practitioner and epidemiologist with French National Health Insurance in Saint-Denis, France, concluded.
Notably, menopausal hormone therapy drugs medrogestone and promegestone also increased the risk of intracranial meningiomas, which are benign intracranial tumors that develop in the layers of tissue that cover the brain and spinal cord.
In a statement, 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 alleged link to brain tumors and taking Depo-Provera is extremely serious, and if Pfizer did not adequately warn users about the potential risks, legal action may be appropriate. It’s important that patients are aware of any adverse risks of taking birth control medication such as these injections. Depo-Provera side effects long term could be devastating, and people who take the injections need to be aware of what those risks are.
Other Possible Risks of Depo-Provera Use
In addition to an increased risk of developing brain tumors, continued use of Depo-Provera has also been linked to various other side effects, which can be physically debilitating as well as financially and emotionally devastating. In the short term, some people who have taken Depo-Provera have experienced significant loss of bone density, excessive hair growth or hair loss, and reactions on the skin—particularly around the injection site—such as rashes, acne, pain and swelling, and in rare cases hives.
In the long term, individuals who stop taking Depo-Provera sometimes experience irregular and unpredictable periods, a long delay until they become fertile again, and lasting loss of bone density. Perhaps most importantly, long-term Depo-Provera use is correlated with potentially dangerous side effects like:
- Increased risk of developing breast cancer
- Loss of liver function
- Increased risk of developing serious blood clots, including a risk of vision loss caused by blood clots in the eye(s)
- Substantial changes in mood, potentially in the form of severe depression
For these reasons, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) already recommends that patients use Depo-Provera for no more than two consecutive years—but as many people have unfortunately learned, this drug can have life-altering effects even in people who did not exceed the FDA’s recommendation for use.
Establishing Grounds for a Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Because Pfizer has a duty to conduct sufficient research into new products to discover potentially serious side effects and then properly warn consumers about those risks, the company may hold civil liability for harm sustained by people who developed brain tumors after taking Depo-Provera. In order to qualify for a lawsuit, though, prospective plaintiffs must be able to establish that they were diagnosed by a qualified medical professional with a brain tumor and/or meningioma, and that they took Depo-Provera, depo-SubQ Provera, or any authorized generic version of either drug at least twice before their diagnosis.
The length of time a particular person took Depo-Provera, the date of their diagnosis, and the extent of harm they have already sustained because of their condition can also be major factors in the viability of a possible civil claim. Our team can discuss legal options on a case-by-case, person-by-person basis during a private initial consultation.
Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit Assistance
If you or a loved one suffered brain tumors or spinal tumors after taking Depo-Provera, Phillips Law Group may be able to assist you in pursuing legal action for compensation.
Our firm has been in business for more than 30 years and is a trusted voice in the Arizona community. Our team has outstanding experience in the area of defective and dangerous drug cases and we would be honored to advocate on your behalf in a Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuit.
Please contact our firm today for a free, confidential, no-obligation consultation to discuss your rights and your legal options. We can determine the best next steps for you after going over the unique circumstances of your situation. Call 602-222-2222 now to learn more.
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