Depo-Provera Pfizer Lawsuits Allege Link to Brain Cancer.
Lawsuits Allege That Depo-Provera Causes Meningiomas
Recent legal actions have been initiated against Pfizer, the producer of Depo-Provera, a contraceptive injection, claiming that it may elevate the risk of developing meningiomas, a specific type of brain tumor. Additionally, recent studies have indicated a possible association with other non-cancerous tumors of the brain and spinal cord, as well as conditions such as pseudotumor cerebri and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The plaintiffs in these lawsuits contend that Pfizer did not sufficiently inform users and healthcare professionals about these significant risks. If you or someone you know has received a diagnosis of meningioma following the use of Depo-Provera, you might be eligible for compensation through a lawsuit related to Depo-Provera and brain tumors.
Kristina Schmidt Lawsuit
On October 1, 2024, Kristina Schmidt filed the first of what is expected to be many Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits.
Kristina Schmidt used Depo-Provera for about 17 years and was diagnosed with a brain tumor at the age of 37 and contends that throughout the years, she suffered from side effects related to Depo-Provera injections, which included intense headaches, dizziness, and vertigo. These health issues ultimately resulted in her being diagnosed with a Grade 1 and Grade 2 Sylvian fissure meningioma brain tumor in June 2022.
In her lawsuit against Pfizer, the manufacturer, she asserts that the tumor was a consequence of the birth control injections. The claim highlights that the active ingredient, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), has the potential to encourage abnormal cell growth that can lead to tumors. Additionally, the lawsuit accuses Pfizer of failing to provide adequate warnings, defective design, and other serious allegations regarding consumer safety oversight.
Due to the worsening symptoms and her young age, it was advised that Schmidt proceed with brain surgery to excise the tumor. The legal complaint outlined the complex procedure required to eliminate the brain tumor, which necessitated a significant incision in the scalp and the utilization of a craniotome, a robust drill-like instrument, to access the skull. After the tumor was removed, surgeons discovered irregular tissue surrounding the brain, necessitating the removal of a considerable section.
They subsequently replaced the affected area with bovine pericardium, which is derived from cow heart tissue. Schmidt’s lawsuit claims that the brain tumor resulting from Depo-Provera birth control injections has resulted in serious past, present, and future harm. This includes both physical and emotional distress, ongoing medical issues, and a notable decline in her overall quality of life.
Brain Tumors
The lawsuit also contends that Pfizer and other producers of Depo-Provera were aware or ought to have been aware of the potential for the birth control injections to induce brain tumors. This assertion is supported by comprehensive medical studies indicating that medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA), the primary component of Depo-Provera, may activate signalling pathways that result in atypical cell proliferation in the meninges, thereby heightening the likelihood of tumor formation. Schmidt's lawsuit includes allegations of inadequate warning, insufficient testing, flawed design, misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of warranty.
Attorneys nationwide are reviewing Depo-Provera brain tumor lawsuits against Pfizer Inc., the manufacturer of this well-known contraceptive injection. Depo-Provera attorneys are offering complimentary consultations and claim assessments for those who have received the birth control injections and subsequently developed meningioma brain tumors or were diagnosed with Pseudotumor Cerebri. These attorneys manage all Depo-Provera-related lawsuits on a contingency fee arrangement, ensuring that clients incur no fees or expenses unless a settlement or payout from the lawsuit is achieved.
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.
BMJ Medical Concerns
A research article released in the medical journal The BMJ in March 2024 highlighted significant concerns regarding the possible side effects of Depo-Provera related to meningioma. The study indicated that women who have been administered the birth control injection for a duration of one year or more may experience a 5.5-fold increase in the risk of developing these brain tumors, which can pose serious health threats and frequently necessitate surgical intervention.
The results, combined with a substantial history of brain tumor issues associated with Depo-Provera that have been reported to the FDA since the early 2000s, have led women who were previously diagnosed with this condition to initiate lawsuits against Pfizer. They allege that the company has concealed the risks of meningioma for an extended period.
