Depo-Provera Meningioma Lawsuit Alleges Pfizer Failed To Disclose Brain Tumor Side Effects

A California woman has filed one of the first Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits following the publication of a study earlier this year, indicating that the drug manufacturers should have warned users and the medical community about the risk of developing intracranial meningiomas from Depo-Provera, which resulted in the need for brain surgery.

The complaint (PDF) was filed by Kristina Schmidt in the United States District Court Northern District of California on October 1, pursuing damages from Pfizer Inc, Viatris, Greenstone Prasco Labs and Pharmacia & Upjohn as defendants, over the companies’ roles in the development and sale of both the brand-name and generic versions of the birth control shot.

Depo-Provera is a hormonal birth control injection that contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone. It was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1992, and has been advertised as a safe and effective means of preventing pregnancy, by inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.

While the birth control shot has been heavily prescribed to over 70 million women annually, a study published in the medical journal The BMJ in March 2024 raised serious concerns about potential Depo-Provera meningioma side effects, finding that women receiving the birth control shot for one year or longer faced a 5.5 increased risk of developing the brain tumors, which can be life-threatening and often require surgical removal.

The findings, alongside a lengthy history of Depo-Provera brain tumor problems reported to the FDA since the early 2000’s, have now prompted women previously diagnosed with the condition to pursue Depo-Provera lawsuits against Pfizer for concealing the meningioma risks for years.

Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit

According to the complaint brought by Schmidt, she was first prescribed Depo-Provera birth control shots at a Planned Parenthood in San Ramon, California in 2005 at the age of 20, and received routine prescription injections up until 2021, amounting to approximately 64 injections.

Schmidt claims that at least 12 of the birth control shots administered consisted of Pfizer’s authorized generic Depo-Provera, which is identical to the brand name Depo-Provera.

The lawsuit claims that Schmidt began to develop Depo-Provera side effects over time that included severe headaches, dizziness and vertigo. Following consultations with her doctor and undergoing multiple medical exams, tests and an MRI, Schmidt was diagnosed with a Grade 1 and Grade 2 brain tumor known as a Sylvian fissure meningioma at the age of 37 in June 2022.

Due to the worsening symptoms and her young age, it was recommended that Schmidt undergo brain surgery to remove the tumor. The lawsuit detailed the invasive procedure to remove the brain tumor, which involved a deep incision in the scalp and the use of a craniotome, a powerful drill-like tool, to cut open the skull.

Once the tumor was removed, surgeons reportedly found abnormal tissue around the brain and had to remove a significant portion, replacing the damaged area with cow heart tissue (bovine pericardium).

Schmidt’s lawsuit claims that the brain tumor caused by Depo-Provera birth control shots has led to severe past, current and future injuries, including physical and emotional trauma, persistent medical complications, and a significant reduction in her quality of life.

The lawsuit further asserts that Pfizer and other manufacturers of Depo-Provera knew or should have known that the birth control shots could cause brain tumors, citing extensive medical research showing that medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), the active ingredient in Depo-Provera, can trigger signaling pathways that lead to abnormal cell growth in the meninges, increasing the risk of tumor development.

Schmidt’s lawsuit presents claims of failure to warn, failure to test, defective design, misrepresentation and fraud and breach of warranty.

Depo-Provera Lawsuits Being Investigated Over Brain Tumors

Lawyers across the nation are reviewing Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits against Pfizer Inc., who is the manufacturer of the name-brand birth control shot.

Drug makers have a responsibility to thoroughly investigate and assess the safety of their product. This includes conducting rigorous research and clinical trials to identify potential risks, such as the association between Depo-Provera and brain tumors.

Depo-Provera lawyers are providing free consultations and claim evaluations for individuals who received the birth control shots and developed meningioma brain tumors or were diagnosed with Pseudotumor Cerebri.

Attorneys handle all Depo-Provera lawsuits on a contingency fee basis, which means that there are no fees or expenses paid unless a settlement or lawsuit payout is received.