Depo-Provera is a popular injectable birth control administered every three months. It is widely used to suppress the menstrual cycle along with several types of negative menstrual conditions and side effects. However, recent Depo-Provera lawsuits have revealed a connection between the medication and the development of brain and spinal tumors. It also comes with an increased risk of breast cancer. Pharmaceutical company Pfizer failed to properly advise both doctors and patients about the risk. As an increasing number of tumor cases arise, it becomes clear that sufficient warning and long-term health studies were not pursued.Â
If you have developed brain or spinal tumors in response to Depo-Provera, you may be eligible to file a Depo-Provera lawsuit to seek compensation for the harm and suffering you have experienced. Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers can help you.
What Is Depo-Provera?
Depo-Provera is a progestin injection used for birth control, menstrual suppression, and management of negative menstrual symptoms. It prevents pregnancy by preventing eggs from developing and increases cervical mucus to prevent sperm from traveling toward an egg.Â
“Depo” is a popular birth control alternative administered once every three months. Many women prefer the solution because it does not require pills or a patch. However, long-term use is not advised due to risks of permanent bone density loss and increased risk of breast cancer associated with most progestin-based hormonal birth control. Depo Provera is also known to cause typical birth control issues like weight changes and depression.
Depo-Provera Linked to Brain Tumors
Unfortunately, one of the side effects of Depo-Provera considered “too minor to mention” is an increased risk of brain and spine tumors. The British Medical Journal reports that Depo-Provera increases the risk of intracranial meningiomas by 5.6 times if the birth control medication is used for over a year. Considering that many women choose it as their primary form of birth control and hormone management, the risk of meningiomas can continue to increase over time.
Progestin-related drugs, along with other hormone therapy medications like medrogestone and Promegestone, also increase the risk of intracranial meningiomas. Pfizer is aware of the risks of long-term progestogens, but women and their doctors are not warned about the risks before Depo-Provera is prescribed.
Side Effects of Depo-Provera
Like any medication, Depo-Provera has a number of known side effects at varying risk levels. Risks of spot bleeding, mood swings, depression, and weight gain are par for the course when it comes to birth control. Most women choose birth control that provides the fewest personal negative side-effects. But you can’t sense a tumor growing like you can feel a mood swing.
Side effects of Depo-Provera include:
- Decreased bone density – Depo-Provera and other progestogens can cause significant and permanent loss of bone density, especially with prolonged use.
- Breast cancer – Depo-Provera poses a slightly increased risk of breast cancer.
- Brain tumors – Benign (non-cancerous) brain and spine tumors are directly related to Depo-Provera and can even shrink when patients stop taking Depo.
- Pseudotumor cerebri – The risk of benign tumors forming in the brain and spine is an alarming new introduction to Depo’s otherwise well-rounded set of features.
- Depression – Depo-Provera can cause considerable mood changes and depression
- Liver Function – There may be a potential for liver function increase, including jaundice.
- Vision Problems – Possible vision changes due to serious conditions like blood clots in the eye
Depo-Provera Lawsuit Updates
In 2020, a study on meningioma (brain tumor) lawsuits revealed a pattern of meningiomas in women who took Depo-Provera. The average meningioma lawsuit settlement was around $850,000, targeting failure to diagnose. There has since been a rise in Depo-Provera lawsuits regarding the development of meningiomas and the failure to inform patients of the risks.
In 2024, a BMJ study revealed that people using injectible medroxyprogesterone (like Depo-Provera) may have a higher risk of meningiomas. The primary claim for Depo-Provera lawsuits is Failure to Warn, in which the drug manufacturer Pfizer is identified as not having provided adequate warnings about risks associated with the drug that might have prevented its use in an informed patient decision.
What to Do If You’ve Been Affected
Symptoms of brain and spinal tumors include headaches, vision changes, hearing loss, memory loss, and loss of smell. Fatigue and seizures may also occur. If you’ve experienced these symptoms or been diagnosed with meningiomas after using Depo-Provera, take steps to protect your health. You may also have a valid claim against the manufacturer.
Here’s what you should do:
- Seek Medical Attention – Get your condition diagnosed and seek treatment. Take care of yourself and put your health first.
- Document Everything – Ask your doctor for full health records and copies of any scan. Include records of your Depo-Provera use and when your symptoms began.
- Talk to an Attorney – Discuss the potential of your case to make medical claims if you believe that Depo-Provera may have been the source of your spine and brain tumors, for which you were not properly warned.
Am I Eligible to File a Depo-Provera Lawsuit?
Eligibility for a Depo-Provera lawsuit is determined by three key factors: Usage, diagnosis, and other considerations.
- Usage – Must have used Depo-Provera or an authorized generic version at least twice.
- Diagnosis – Must have been diagnosed with meningioma or a brain tumor after using Depo-Provera
- Other Factors – Other elements that may influence your eligibility include the duration of Depo-Provera use, the time between the last use and the diagnosis, and the exact nature of your diagnosis.
Filing a Depo-Provera Lawsuit
The first step to filing a Depo Provera lawsuit is to work with a personal injury attorney. Look for someone who specializes in medical cases, as fighting a pharmaceutical manufacturer is a complex and critical task. Together, you will build a case of medical evidence regarding how your Depo-Provera use likely caused your current medical condition, the severity of your condition, and the compensation that could be reached as a settlement if your case succeeds.
How Much Is a Depo-Provera Settlement Worth?
The total amount that you might receive as a Depo-Provera settlement varies from case to case. However, certain conditions will be considered, including both your financial losses and the emotional impact that the loss has caused.
The following factors will impact your settlement value:
- Medical expenses – The cost of doctor’s visits, scans, and medical treatments.
- Long-term recovery costs – The cost of future treatments and medical care during recovery.
- Lost wages – Wages lost due to the illness taking you away from work.
- Lost earning potential – Loss of the ability to earn at your full capacity.
- Pain and suffering – The suffering and harm you experienced as a result of the illness.
- Loss of consortium – Loss of the ability to participate as a full member of your household.
In addition to the amount of money you lost to the illness, your lawyer may also seek punitive damages on your behalf.Â
Contact a Depo-Provera Lawsuit Attorney Today
If you have been affected by the Depo-Provera brain tumor risk, don’t hesitate to call Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers for help exploring your options. We’ll help you put together a case based on your eligibility and the total impact that the illness has had on your life as a result of poor information on birth control medication. Fill out our form for a free case consultation today.