Shayna Slater, Anapol Weiss Women’s Health Ligitation Team
Depo-Provera, a popular hormonal contraceptive, has been a go-to choice for many seeking birth control. Administered via injection every three months, it purported to offer convenience and effectiveness. However, there is now evidence that it also increased women’s risk of brain and spinal tumors, called meningiomas.
A Safer Alternative
Sadly, initial research suggests that Pfizer actually owned a safer alternative. While investigation continues, if Pfizer did, in fact, own a safer alternative, its failure to market and educate prescribers that an equally effective treatment with the potential for fewer life-altering side effects existed, we would be dealing with a profit over patients’ scenario.
Studies going back several years have shown that Depo-Provera when administered subcutaneously (beneath the skin) as opposed to intramuscularly (into a muscle), is absorbed at a slower rate likely resulting in fewer side effects, including meningiomas. Nevertheless, Pfizer never produced a subcutaneous version of its Depo-Provera 150mg injection.
However, Pfizer had an FDA-approved, lower-dose 104mg version of Depo-Provera that may have been equally effective for contraception, easier to administer, had substantially less progestin, and likely would have resulted in fewer side effects. Pfizer could have strongly promoted this alternative product as a safer version of Depo-Provera but failed to do so in the United States.
This safer treatment was utilized in Europe and other countries.
Find Out if You Qualify For the Depo-Provera Lawsuit
Speak With Our Nationally Recognized Women's Health Litigation Team
866-609-7331Legal Implications
As investigation continues, if the facts show that Pfizer had a safer alternative available but failed to vigorously market it and notify prescribing physicians, their failure to do so resulted in many women facing brain and spinal tumor diagnoses, invasive surgical procedures, radiation, and life-altering complications.
If you have concerns about Depo-Provera use, speak with your healthcare provider about your options and any necessary screenings. If you have been diagnosed with a brain or spinal tumor after Depo Provera use, contact our Women’s Health Litigation Team at Anapol Weiss. In October 2024, The Women’s Health Litigation Team at Anapol Weiss filed a lawsuit against Pfizer on behalf of a woman who used Depo-Provera for a prolonged period and developed a brain tumor. Anapol Weiss is preparing additional lawsuits on behalf of other women who developed meningiomas after using Depo-Provera for a prolonged period. Attorneys leading the team include: Kila Baldwin, Tracy Finken Magnotta, Shayna Slater, and Alex Walsh.
