Depo-Provera Meningioma Brain Tumors Risks May Have Been Ignored by Pfizer for Decades

Decades of medical research and reported Depo-Provera side effects suggest that Pfizer knew or should have known that its birth control shot increases the risks of meningioma brain tumors.

Following a groundbreaking study released earlier this year that linked side effects of Depo-Provera and meningioma brain tumors, a review of case reports submitted to the FDA and published scientific literature suggests that Pfizer knew or should have known about the risks associated with its blockbuster birth control injection, yet failed to warn women or the medical community.

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 is advertised to prevent pregnancy by inhibiting ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining to prevent a fertilized egg from implanting.

The injection is administered by a healthcare provider once every three months, typically in the upper arm or buttock, and has become a popular choice for approximately 70 million women, since it only requires four birth control shots per year and is thought to carry few, if any, serious side effects.

However, a recent study published in the medical journal The BMJ found that women using Depo-Provera shots face an increased risk of meningioma brain tumors. Researchers found that women using Depo-Provera 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 intervention.

As a result of these findings, a number of lawyers are now investigating potential Depo-Provera lawsuits against Pfizer, digging into what the drug maker knew about the risks and when it was aware that users of the birth control injection may face a risk of meningiomas.

The study’s findings starkly contrast decades of advertising by Pfizer, who has promoted Depo-Provera as a safe and effective contraceptive for millions of women annually.

Despite these reassurances, women and medical providers have been reporting cases of meningioma from Depo-Provera to the FDA since at least 2002. In addition, independent medical research has identified a potential link between the active ingredient in Depo-Provera and meningioma development first surfaced in 1987, raising questions about why Pfizer failed to research this potential side effect further or warn about the potential risks.

Depo-Provera Meningioma Side Effects Reported to FDA

When a new drug is approved and enters the market, it is subject to ongoing safety surveillance, which includes mandatory reporting of any adverse events. These incidents are reported through the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), which collects information submitted by healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical companies, and patients, to identify potential risks and evaluate the safety profiles of medications on the market.

According to the data on the FAERS Public Dashboard, reports of Depo-Provera meningioma brain tumors have been submitted for decades, with the number of cases steadily increasing in recent years.

Each of the meningioma cases linked to Depo-Provera have been classified as serious, with a significant number leading to outcomes such as hospitalization or being deemed life-threatening, according to FAERS.

While there have been no deaths reported, the outcomes have suggested that many women have experienced serious health effects, including hospitalization or permanent disability. This indicates that while Depo-Provera meningioma side effects are usually not fatal, they are severe enough to significantly alter quality of life of users.

History of Medical Research Linking Depo-Provera to Meningioma

Early research into the relationship between Depo-Provera and meningioma side effects dates back to the late 1980s, when a study was published in the medical journal Surgical Neurology investigating the impact of medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), the active ingredient in Depo-Provera, on progesterone receptor (PR) activity in meningioma cells.

The researchers specifically looked at the behavior of progesterone receptors in meningioma cells because these brain tumors often respond to hormones. They wanted to see if the synthetic hormone ingredients used in Depo-Provera could trigger or speed up tumor growth in the meninges.

The study found that MPA, the synthetic progestin in Depo-Provera, binds competitively to progesterone receptors (PRs) in meningioma cells, significantly reducing PR values compared to untreated samples.

By occupying these receptors, MPA could potentially stimulate abnormal cell growth in the meninges, the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord, suggesting a possible mechanism for how Depo-Provera may influence tumor development.

Researchers also raised concerns that MPA may alter cellular signaling pathways that control cell growth, potentially leading to tumor formation or enlargement. The study indicates that hormonal manipulation with synthetic progestins, like MPA in Depo-Provera, could trigger compensatory mechanisms promoting tumor survival and growth.

These findings, combined with a history of evidence of adverse events and recent supporting medical research suggest that long-term use of Depo-Provera could inadvertently create an environment conducive to meningioma development, challenging Pfizer’s long-standing claims about the drug’s safety.

Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawyers

As a result of the drug manufacturers apparent failure to adequately research the safety and efficacy of the birth control shot, Depo-Provera lawyers are investigating claims for women who received the injections and subsequently developed meningioma brain tumors.

To determine whether you or a loved one may be eligible for a Depo-Provera lawsuit settlement, submit information about your potential claim for review by a lawyer to determine whether a settlement or lawsuit payout may be available.

All case evaluations are free and there are no fees or expenses unless a recovery is obtained in your case.