Depo-Provera Intracranial Meningioma Brain Tumor Litigation
Case Overview
Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) is a widely used injectable hormonal contraceptive that has been on the U.S. market since 1992, with millions of doses administered annually. A landmark French study published in the British Medical Journal in 2024 found that women who used Depo-Provera for more than one year faced more than five times the risk of developing intracranial meningiomas — brain and spinal tumors arising from the tissue surrounding the brain — compared to non-users. While meningiomas are often slow-growing, they can cause severe neurological symptoms, require surgery or radiation, and can be life-altering. The FDA updated Depo-Provera's label in June 2023 to add a warning about this risk, but plaintiffs argue the warning was inadequate and far too late.
Litigation escalated rapidly after the BMJ study's publication, and in December 2024, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) centralized all federal Depo-Provera cases into an MDL in the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers. Plaintiffs allege failure to warn, negligent design, and fraudulent misrepresentation, arguing that Pfizer was aware of studies linking synthetic progestogens to meningioma risk well before the FDA label update but prioritized sales over patient safety. The case pool is growing rapidly, with plaintiff attorneys estimating tens of thousands of additional potential claimants who may not yet be aware of the link between their diagnosis and contraceptive use.
Who May Qualify
Women who used Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable) for one year or more and were subsequently diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma (a brain or spinal tumor). Claims are also being reviewed for women diagnosed with other meningioma-related conditions following extended use of the injectable contraceptive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Depo-Provera cause brain tumors?
A major 2024 study in the British Medical Journal found that women who used Depo-Provera for more than one year had more than five times the risk of developing intracranial meningiomas compared to non-users. The FDA has since added a warning to the drug's label. While causation is still being litigated, the statistical association identified in peer-reviewed research is the basis for thousands of ongoing lawsuits.
Can I sue Pfizer if I used Depo-Provera and was diagnosed with a brain tumor?
If you used Depo-Provera for a year or more and were later diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma, you may have a valid product liability claim against Pfizer. Cases are currently being litigated in a federal MDL in the Northern District of Florida. You should consult a mass tort attorney promptly, as statutes of limitations vary by state.
What is an intracranial meningioma?
A meningioma is a tumor that arises from the meninges — the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While most meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous), they can grow large enough to press on the brain, causing headaches, vision problems, seizures, cognitive changes, and other serious neurological symptoms. Treatment often requires surgery and/or radiation.