Pharmaceutical litigation
Depo-Provera & Meningioma Litigation
Lawsuits involving Depo-Provera are examining whether repeated use of the injectable contraceptive is associated with the development of meningioma and whether patients were adequately warned about the potential risk.
The litigation
Why Are Depo-Provera Lawsuits Being Filed?
Depo-Provera is a long-acting injectable contraceptive containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of the hormone progesterone.
The current litigation centers on allegations that repeated use of Depo-Provera may be associated with an increased risk of developing meningioma, a tumor arising from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.
Plaintiffs allege, among other things, that the potential risk was not adequately communicated to patients using the medication. The litigation involves scientific evidence, product warnings, and the individual factual and medical evidence relevant to a particular claim.
The science
Research Brought New Attention to a Potential Association.
Scientific research has examined whether certain progestogen medications are associated with intracranial meningioma.
A large 2024 French national case-control study published in The BMJ reported an association between prolonged use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate and intracranial meningioma requiring surgery.
For injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate, the study reported an odds ratio of approximately 5.6 among the population studied. An observed association is not the same as proof that a medication caused a tumor in an individual patient, and an odds ratio is not an individual's absolute risk of developing meningioma.
2024 BMJ Study
Researchers reported an association between prolonged use of injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate and intracranial meningioma requiring surgery.
Association does not establish individual causation.
Regulatory developments
Meningioma Is Now Addressed in U.S. Depo-Provera Labeling.
The U.S. prescribing information for Depo-Provera CI now includes a specific warning concerning meningioma and states that cases have been reported following repeated administration of medroxyprogesterone acetate, primarily with long-term use.
In the developing litigation, the warning history raises factual questions about what information was available, what the labeling communicated, when warnings were provided, and how that history may relate to a claimant's period of use.
Understanding the injury
What Is a Meningioma?
A meningioma is a tumor arising from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. Many are classified as noncancerous, but location, size, symptoms, and treatment can still be medically significant.
For litigation, the diagnosis, imaging, medical history, and timing of medication use can be important evidence.
This information is educational only and not medical diagnosis or treatment advice.
Potential Symptoms of Meningioma
Symptoms can vary with a tumor's size and location, and some meningiomas have few or no noticeable symptoms.
- Persistent or worsening headaches
- Changes in vision or hearing
- Seizures
- Weakness, numbness, or balance changes
- Memory or concentration changes
Anyone experiencing concerning symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Federal litigation
Depo-Provera Cases Are Being Coordinated in Federal Court.
Federal product-liability lawsuits involving allegations concerning Depo-Provera and meningioma have been centralized for coordinated pretrial proceedings in:
In re: Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation
MDL No. 3140
An MDL is a federal procedure for coordinating lawsuits with common factual issues, including discovery, expert questions, and other pretrial proceedings.
Centralization does not turn the cases into a class action: individual claims remain dependent on their own facts and evidence.
Case evaluation
Does a Depo-Provera Matter Warrant Evaluation?
A potential claim requires an individualized review of the medication history, diagnosis, records, and other relevant facts. These questions are not rigid eligibility criteria, and an affirmative answer does not establish a viable claim.
- Did you receive Depo-Provera injections?
- Approximately how long and how frequently was the medication used?
- Were injections repeated over an extended period?
- Have you been diagnosed with a meningioma?
- When did the diagnosis occur relative to Depo-Provera use?
- Are medication, imaging, or other relevant medical records available?
Evidence and medical records
Records Can Help Reconstruct the History.
Relevant records can help establish the medication history, diagnosis, and chronology. A potential claimant does not need every record before requesting an evaluation.
- Medication records: injection records, medical charts, pharmacy information, and prescribing-provider records
- Diagnostic records: MRI or CT imaging, radiology reports, pathology where applicable, diagnosis records, and treatment records
- Timeline and medical history: symptoms, diagnosis dates, treatment history, and other information needed to reconstruct the chronology
Available information about where and approximately when Depo-Provera was administered can provide a starting point for further evaluation.
Reconstructing the Use and Diagnosis Timeline.
01
When Depo-Provera use began
02
Number and frequency of injections
03
Duration of use and gaps in treatment
04
Prescribing providers or clinics
05
Pharmacy and medical records
06
When symptoms developed
07
When imaging occurred
08
When meningioma was diagnosed
The relationship between medication history and diagnosis must be reconstructed from the actual evidence, including relevant medical history.
Depo-Provera Litigation: Frequently Asked Questions
Used Depo-Provera and Later Diagnosed With a Meningioma?
A potential claim begins with the individual facts. If you received Depo-Provera injections and were later diagnosed with a meningioma, eJustice can review the available information and determine whether the circumstances warrant further investigation. You do not need to know every injection date or possess every medical record before requesting an evaluation.
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The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes and is not medical or legal advice. Prior or current litigation does not guarantee any particular outcome. Every potential claim depends on its individual facts and applicable law. Viewing this page or submitting information does not by itself create an attorney-client relationship.