Hair Loss / Scalp Injury from Depo-Provera (Medroxyprogesterone) Meningioma Litigation
Case Overview
Depo-Provera, a progestin-based injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer, has been prescribed to millions of women in the United States since its FDA approval in 1992. Beginning in 2024, a rapidly growing number of lawsuits were filed by women who developed intracranial meningiomas — typically benign but potentially serious brain tumors — after long-term use of the contraceptive. Plaintiffs point to a landmark 2024 study published in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) which found that women who used injectable progestin contraceptives for longer than one year had a more than five-fold increased risk of developing meningioma compared to non-users. The plaintiffs allege that Pfizer knew or should have known about this risk and failed to include adequate warnings on the drug's labeling.
The litigation escalated rapidly throughout 2024, and in late 2024 a federal MDL was established in the Northern District of Florida to consolidate hundreds of cases filed in courts across the country. As of 2025, the MDL docket has grown to thousands of plaintiffs, making it one of the fastest-growing mass tort litigations in the country. The FDA updated Depo-Provera's label in July 2024 to include a warning about the meningioma risk, a move plaintiffs argue validates their failure-to-warn claims. Bellwether trials are expected to be scheduled in 2026.
Who May Qualify
Women who received Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) injections — typically for one year or longer — and were subsequently diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma (brain tumor). Cases involving other progestin-based injectable contraceptives from different manufacturers may also qualify.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Depo-Provera cause brain tumors?
A major 2024 study in the British Medical Journal found that long-term use of injectable progestin contraceptives like Depo-Provera was associated with a more than five-fold increased risk of intracranial meningioma. The FDA updated Depo-Provera's label in 2024 to include a meningioma risk warning.
Can I sue Pfizer for a brain tumor caused by Depo-Provera?
If you used Depo-Provera for an extended period and were diagnosed with a meningioma, you may have a claim in the federal MDL (No. 3103) in the Northern District of Florida. You should consult a mass tort attorney promptly, as these cases are still being filed.
How much could a Depo-Provera lawsuit be worth?
Settlement values have not yet been established as the litigation is still in early stages. Compensation in similar pharmaceutical mass torts has ranged from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on injury severity, treatment costs, and other damages.