Pfizer manufactures Depo-Provera, a brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (containing the hormone progestin), a birth control medication injected every three months. It is used to prevent pregnancy and manage medical conditions related to menstrual cycles.
Depo-Provera is available in a lower dosage called Depo-SubQ Provera 104. The more potent version, Depo-Provera, is injected deep into the muscle, while Depo-SubQ Provera 104 is injected just below the skin. Both have similar benefits and risks.
It is estimated that between 2015 and 2019, 25.4% of sexually active women used Depo-Provera. The report shows that some demographics saw even higher rates, with 27.2% of Hispanic women and 41.2% of Black women using Depo-Provera during that date range.
Scientific research has led experts to believe that Depo-Provera’s link to meningioma comes from its incredibly high levels of synthetic progestin, the compound that mimics the effects of progesterone. Meningiomas are known to express hormone receptors, specifically progesterone and estrogen. When the receptors are exposed to hormones, they can stimulate tumor growth.
There is also a link between dose-response and meningiomas. The more doses of Depo-Provera administered, the higher the risk of developing meningiomas. Cumulative exposure to the synthetic progestin increases the likelihood of developing the tumors.
According to the Mayo Clinic, a meningioma tumor grows meninges, the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. It is critical to point out that a meningioma is NOT a brain tumor, but it presses on the nearby brain, nerves, and vessels.
The majority of meningiomas grow very slowly and can grow over many years without showing any symptoms. However, the effects on nearby brain tissue, nerves, or vessels can cause serious disabilities. Because of this slow growth, immediate treatment is not always necessary; they can be monitored.
Meningiomas occur more often in women, and while they can occur at any age, they are often found at older ages.
In 2004, the FDA added a “black box” warning to Depo-Provera. The warning is specifically related to the loss of bone mineral density; the FDA recommends that Depo-Provera not be used as a long-term birth control method (no longer than two years).
Currently, the FDA has not issued further guidance or warnings about Depo-Provera.
However, Pfizer has implemented label changes and warnings in the EU and UK. The EU label states:
“Meningioma: Meningiomas have been reported following long term administration of progestogens, including medroxyprogesterone acetate. Depo-Provera should be discontinued if a meningioma is diagnosed. Caution is advised when recommending Depo-Provera to patients with a history of meningioma.”
Pfizer needs a much stronger and clearer warning for those taking or thinking about Depo-Provera. The watered-down version needs to be more sufficient otherwise, it acts as no warning at all.
In April 2024, Pfizer released a press release acknowledging the link between Depo-Provera and meningioma tumors, but it has yet to make any changes to its labels or other drug information sheets.
The first lawsuits were filed in October 2024. The plaintiffs brought suit against Pfizer and Pharmacia & Upjohn, alleging the Depo-Provera shots caused significant and life-altering injuries. One plaintiff started using Depo-Provera in 1995 and continued its use until 2018, completely unaware of the potential risks associated with prolonged use.
New lawsuits are being filed, and we are getting closer to an MDL class action.
If you have questions or need additional information, contact our Vogelzang Law team at (312)-466-1669.
Women who have had at least two injections of Depo-Provera birth control and have been diagnosed with meningioma should reach out to Vogelzang Law for a free consultation.
If you have these symptoms, please don’t hesitate to contact your primary care doctor.
Seek immediate medical attention if you have the sudden onset of seizures or changes in vision or memory.
Some risk factors for meningioma include:
If you are experiencing any symptoms, please seek out your healthcare provider for further testing.
Vogelzang Law is here to help. Please contact us with any questions or concerns or if you need additional information. Our attorneys are on standby.
