Lawsuit Alleges Depo-Provera Caused Brain Tumor, Spinal Cyst Requiring Constant Medical Monitoring

According to allegations raised in a recently filed product liability lawsuit, side effects of Depo-Provera caused a brain tumor and spinal cyst to develop in an Indiana woman, after receiving the popular birth control injections for several years.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Kathryn Paulsen and her husband, Daniel, in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana on December 12, indicating that the drug makers Pfizer, Inc., and Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC knew about the risks associated with Depo-Provera for years, but failed to adequately warn users or the medical community.

Depo-Provera is a hormonal birth control shot that was first introduced in 1992, containing a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone, known as medroxyprogesterone. Following decades of advertisements that promoted the quarterly injection as a safe means of preventing pregnancy, Depo-Provera has been widely used by more than 70 million women in the U.S.

However, concerns about the safety of the birth control shot emerged earlier this year, with the publication of studies that found Depo-Provera causes meningioma brain tumors to develop in some women, which can be life-threatening and often requires surgical intervention.

This has led to a growing number of women, like Paulsen, pursuing Depo-Provera lawsuits in U.S. District Courts nationwide, each raising similar allegations that women could have avoided brain tumors if the drug makers had provided adequate warnings about the importance of monitoring women receiving the birth control shots.

According to her complaint, Paulsen began receiving injections of Depo-Provera in 1998 and continued to receive the quarterly birth control shots through at least 2000.

In 2003, Paulsen indicates that she began experiencing headaches and other health effects, which she now believes were caused by Depo-Provera. Years later, in 2015, the lawsuit indicates she began suffering neuropathic pain in her legs and feet, back spasms and spine pain.

Following numerous medical tests, including multiple MRIs, it was determined that Paulsen had developed a small meningioma and a bronchogenic cyst on her spine. She has since undergone numerous tests to monitor the brain tumor’s growth.

During an MRI just last month, doctors determined that the brain tumor continues to grow, meaning she must have regular medical monitoring.

“Kathryn will require an MRI every one or two years for the remainder of her life,” the lawsuit states. “Kathryn may require brain surgery if her symptoms worsen and/or the meningioma continues to grow.”

The lawsuit indicates Depo-Provera caused the brain tumor, and that defendants concealed the risks from doctors and patients. The Paulsens present claims of strict liability, negligent manufacturing, breach of express warranty, violation of Indiana’s Consumer Sales Act, negligence, failure to warn and loss of consortium. They seek both compensatory and punitive damages.