Depo-Provera Birth Control May Increase Risk of Brain Tumors
Ward Black Law is actively investigating cases involving women who have developed brain or spinal tumors, known as meningiomas, after receiving the Depo-Provera or depo-subQ Provera birth control injections.
Depo-Provera: A Longstanding Birth Control Method
Depo-Provera has been used globally for nearly six decades and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992. In the United States, it is administered in doses of 150 mg every three months via intramuscular injection, typically in the buttock or upper arm.
Depo-subQ Provera 104 is a progestin used to prevent pregnancy and to manage pain associated with endometriosis. It is injected just under the skin, usually in the thigh or belly.
The medications are also prescribed for the treatment of endometriosis. Endometriosis causes tissue similar to the lining of the uterus to grow outside the uterus, resulting in pelvic pain and other symptoms. The condition commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and pelvic tissue.
Link Between Progestogen Medications and Brain Tumors
Studies have shown that some high-dose progestogen medications are associated with an increased risk of meningiomas. A notable French study published in March 2024 in the British Medical Journal found that women using Depo-Provera (chemically known as medroxyprogesterone acetate) had a 5.55-fold increased risk of developing meningiomas.
Fortunately, the study confirmed that women using common birth control pills are not at increased risk of meningiomas.
Understanding Meningiomas
Meningiomas are generally benign tumors that form in the tissues surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Although these tumors are usually non-cancerous, their growth can be dangerous due to their pressure on brain structures. Tumors can grow large enough to press on adjacent brain tissue, potentially requiring surgery or radiation therapy, both of which carry risks of brain injury.
Common symptoms of meningiomas include seizures, blurred or double vision, worsening headaches, hearing loss, memory issues, aphasia (difficulty speaking), loss of smell, weakness in limbs, and difficulty speaking.
Pfizer’s Failure to Warn About Tumor Risks
Drug companies like Pfizer are required by FDA regulations to include information on potential adverse effects of drugs on the medication warning label.
However, Pfizer has long been aware of the increased risk of meningiomas with Depo-Provera use, but the company failed to provide timely warnings. Medication warning labels in Europe have been updated to include the warning of meningioma, and Pfizer has indicated that it plans to update the US label to include a warning as well.
Legal Action for Depo-Provera Users
With multiple birth control options available, women deserve to make informed decisions. If you had known that Depo-Provera carried a risk of brain tumors, you may have chosen an alternative method of contraception. Because the company did not warn of a known risk, injured women are able to bring “failure to warn” claims against Pfizer.
Failure to warn claims against pharmaceutical companies can be brought when a company was aware of a risk associated with the medication, but chose not to disclose the risk on the medication warning labels. Ward Black Law attorneys have decades of experience handling failure to warn and other products liability actions against pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer.
If you developed a meningioma after receiving at least two Depo-Provera injections, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your injuries.
Ward Black Law is Here to Help
At Ward Black Law, our attorneys are dedicated to helping individuals stand up against powerful corporations like pharmaceutical companies. These companies have vast legal resources, and to prove your claim, you need an experienced, committed legal team by your side.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with a meningioma after using Depo-Provera, you have the right to seek legal advice. Ward Black Law attorneys specialize in this area and can provide a confidential case review. We will explain your rights and discuss any compensation you may be entitled to. Your initial consultation is free, so contact us today at 336.333.2244, text 336.439.8054, email info@wardblacklaw.com, or click our chat box to chat with a Ward Black Law representative immediately.