By Andrea Smith
Deciding whether to use birth control is a significant and deeply personal choice for a woman. Beyond preventing pregnancy, birth control may also be used to regulate menstrual cycles, reduce anemia, manage endometriosis symptoms, improve skin and lower the risk of developing ovarian and endometrial cancers.
Risks for users of Depo-Provera
While birth control offers benefits, risks also exist. For some users of Pfizer’s injectable drug Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate), recent research has raised concerns about a potential link to meningioma brain tumors.
Meningioma is a type of brain tumor that develops from the meninges, the thin layers of tissue that cover and protect the brain and spinal cord. It is the most common type of primary brain tumor. Symptoms may include headaches, seizures, vision problems, hearing loss, memory issues, weakness or personality changes –depending on the tumor’s location.
A recent study published in JAMA Neurology suggests prolonged use of Depo-Provera may be associated with an increased relative risk of developing meningioma. Although meningiomas are typically non-cancerous, they can still lead to serious health complications.
Treatment options vary and may include monitoring, surgery, radiation therapy or a combination of approaches, depending on the tumor’s size, growth rate, symptoms and location.
Women seeking compensation for health issues
Legal action is being taken across the country against Pfizer. Depo-Provera is the subject of a growing mass tort, with more than 1,700 cases having been consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) as of this month. Although Pfizer maintains the drug is safe, the Food and Drug Administration added a meningioma warning to the Depo-Provera label in December 2025. Women involved in the litigation allege injuries linked to long-term use, including brain tumors.
Plaintiffs claim Pfizer failed to adequately warn doctors and patients about the risk of developing meningioma. Under failure-to-warn laws, pharmaceutical manufacturers may be held liable if they do not provide sufficient risk information to allow patients and physicians to make informed decisions. These claims do not assert the drug is defective or fault physicians for prescribing it.
Allegations in lawsuits against Pfizer regarding Depo-Provera include the following:
- Pfizer was aware or should have been aware of the increased risk of meningiomas associated with prolonged Depo-Provera use.
- Pfizer failed to adequately warn doctors and patients of potential risks.
- Some women suffered significant harm, including the need for brain surgery, after continued use without full awareness of the risks.
Plaintiffs are seeking compensation for medical expenses, pain and suffering, lost wages and other damages. Evidence cited includes medical records, prescription histories and expert testimony linking the medication to brain tumors.
Pfizer is the primary defendant. Generic manufacturers named in some of the lawsuits include A-S Medication Solutions, Greenstone LLC, Pharmacia & Upjohn Company LLC, Prasco Laboratories and Preferred Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Statutes of limitations for filing legal claims related to Depo-Provera injuries vary by state. The period to file a lawsuit typically starts when a person is diagnosed with a brain tumor and can reasonably attribute it to the birth control medication.
The litigation is ongoing, with additional cases expected as awareness increases. Individuals who believe their health issues may be linked to Depo-Provera are encouraged to seek qualified legal guidance to explore their options.
About the Author
Andrea Smith is co-managing Partner of Goldstein, Buckley, Cechman, Rice, Purtz, Smith & Smith. She specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases.