Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) Brain Tumor Products Liability Litigation
Case Overview
Depo-Provera is a widely used injectable hormonal contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer (formerly Pharmacia) that has been on the U.S. market for decades. In 2024, a large French epidemiological study published in the British Medical Journal found that long-term use of progestogen-based contraceptives — particularly medroxyprogesterone acetate — was associated with a significantly elevated risk of developing intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor. Plaintiffs allege that Pfizer knew or should have known of this risk and failed to update Depo-Provera's U.S. warning label to adequately disclose it, depriving patients and their doctors of information critical to informed consent.
The litigation was centralized as MDL No. 3140 in the Northern District of Florida in late 2024, with U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers presiding. The docket has grown rapidly, with thousands of cases filed by women who used Depo-Provera for extended periods and subsequently developed meningiomas. In early 2025, the court established a bellwether trial process to select representative cases for early trials, which are expected to shape the trajectory of global settlement negotiations. The FDA updated Depo-Provera's labeling in 2024 to include a meningioma warning, a move plaintiffs cite as a significant acknowledgment of the risk.
Who May Qualify
Women who used Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable contraceptive) for an extended period and were subsequently diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma (brain tumor). Cases involving other meningioma risk factors may still qualify depending on individual circumstances.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue Pfizer if I used Depo-Provera and was diagnosed with a brain tumor?
If you used Depo-Provera for an extended period and were later diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma, you may have a viable claim. You should consult a mass tort attorney promptly, as statutes of limitations vary by state.
What kind of brain tumor is linked to Depo-Provera?
The primary brain tumor type linked to Depo-Provera in scientific studies is intracranial meningioma — a tumor that grows on the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While often slow-growing, meningiomas can cause serious neurological complications and may require surgery.
How many women are affected by the Depo-Provera lawsuit?
As of early 2025, more than 10,000 cases have been filed in the MDL, and the number is growing rapidly. Depo-Provera has been used by millions of women in the United States since its approval in 1992.
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