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A growing pool of medical research has revealed a concerning link between the injectable contraceptive medication Depo-Provera and an increased risk of brain tumors, specifically intracranial meningioma. One prominent study from the French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety and that was published in the British Medical Journal – two groups with international respect for medical sciences and reports – researched more than eight forms of progestogens, the key substance in Depo-Provera that allows it to work. The researchers determined that prolonged use of Depo-Provera and other progestogen-based medications could create an increased risk of intracranial meningioma, especially when the drug was used for longer than a year.
What is Intracranial Meningioma?
Although most meningiomas are noncancerous, they still grow slowly and can pose serious health problems. As intracranial meningioma grows, it can put pressure on the brain, which may result in a variety of symptoms like migraines, blindness, and seizures. In severe cases, meningioma can be life-threatening, and in most cases, surgical removal is necessary.
What Did the French Study Find?
French National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety researchers used healthcare system data from more than 18,000 women who had intracranial meningioma removal surgery between 2009 and 2018. Five controls were used for comparison. The findings revealed that women who took progestogen-based oral tablets were around 340% more likely to develop meningioma. Women who used Depo-Provera were about 560% more likely to develop meningioma, an even greater risk. (Of note: The study is observational and not laboratory or diagnostic, so it cannot be scientifically stated that it was proven that Depo-Provera causes meningioma risks.)
Researchers estimate that around 74 million women worldwide use Depo-Provera or a similar injectable contraceptive medication. As such, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, or possibly millions of women might already have or be at a high risk of developing intracranial meningioma related to the use of these drugs. However, it is always recommended that any patient talk to their medical provider before stopping any prescription medication, regardless of potential risks.
What is Pfizer Doing About the Meningioma Risk?
Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, issued a boilerplate response when the French medical study was released: “We are aware of this potential risk associated with long-term use of progestogens and, in collaboration with regulatory agencies, are in the process of updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording.”
Patients are not satisfied with Pfizer’s response, though, nor with the company’s original marketing for Depo-Provera. The Big Pharma company has been accused of failing to warn consumers and medical providers about the heightened risk of meningioma when using Depo-Provera. In lawsuits that are already forming or filed against Pfizer, plaintiffs argue that the pharmaceutical company knew or reasonably should have known about the risk yet did not disclose it to the public, which could make Pfizer liable for the harm its drug has caused.
Have you used Depo-Provera for more than a year, including in the past, but you have since stopped taking it? Were you later diagnosed with intracranial meningioma? Hilliard Law wants to hear from you. Our product liability attorneys and drug defect lawyers are looking into this developing situation and are offering our legal counsel to anyone who might have been hurt by Pfizer’s alleged negligence. You might have the grounds to file a lawsuit in pursuit of justice and compensation.
Call (361) 882-1612 or contact us online now to get a free case review.