Depo-Provera is a popular and widely available contraceptive shot produced by Pfizer. Around 20 million women across the globe have used the birth control injection to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Despite its widespread use, not all patients have had positive experiences with the Depo shot. Some patients could not tolerate the common side effects associated with the drug, while others developed far more serious health issues later in their lives.

A study published in 2024 noted that Depo-Provera increased the risk of patients developing intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor that can affect a person’s memory, motor skills, vision, and speech. Even if patients stopped using the Depo shot decades earlier in life, they were still five times more likely to develop a meningioma that affects the central nervous system.

If you took Depo-Provera and developed a brain tumor, our lawyers can help you file a lawsuit against Pfizer. The birth control shot attorneys at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for legal compensation during a free case review.


 

What Is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). It is a contraceptive injection that is taken every three months. Regular Depo injections significantly decrease the chances of pregnancy. On average, the birth control shot is 96% effective.

Women who were prescribed this injectable contraceptive typically took one of these shots:

  • Depo-Provera
  • Depo-subQ Provera 104

Depo-Provera has medical applications beyond contraception. Menopausal women have been prescribed Depo-Provera as part of hormone therapy. In addition, women with endometriosis have also been prescribed Depo-Provera to help manage pain and other symptoms of their condition.

The Development of Depo-Provera

Medroxyprogesterone acetate was discovered in 1956 by Syntex and the Upjohn Company, the latter of which has since been acquired by Pfizer. It was originally intended to treat menstrual problems and recurrent pregnancy loss.

Upjohn introduced MPA to the U.S. under the brand name Provera in 1959. Upjohn introduced a different formulation in 1960 known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA), intended to treat kidney and endometrial cancers; it was released under the brand name Depo-Provera.

How Does Depo-Provera Work?

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate contains progestin, the synthetic form of the naturally occurring reproductive hormone called progesterone. Progestins are sometimes referred to as progestogens.

Progestin prevents women from ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovaries). With no egg present to be fertilized, it is not possible to become pregnant.

In addition to preventing ovulation, progestin also increases the thickness of a woman’s cervical mucus, which aids in pregnancy prevention. Thicker cervical mucus makes it even more difficult for sperm to reach a waiting egg.

Who Was Usually Prescribed Depo-Provera in Arkansas?

In Jonesboro, AR, the most common Depo-Provera patients were typically teenage girls and young women. These younger patients appreciated the fact that they only needed a birth control shot every 12 weeks. This was far more convenient than taking daily oral contraception and refilling those prescriptions for the pill when they ran out.

A study from 2005 estimated that 10% of girls/women in the United States who were 15 to 19 years old had used Depo-Provera for contraception.

Is Depo-Provera an FDA-Approved Form of Birth Control?

Yes, but gaining FDA approval as a contraceptive took multiple attempts spanning four decades.

The FDA rejected approval of Depo-Provera for contraceptive use in 1967, 1974, and 1983. This was because of potential cancer risks and other long-term health concerns.

Depo-Provera eventually received FDA approval for contraceptive use in the United States in 1992. By that time, Depo-Provera was already being used as a form of birth control in over 90 other countries around the world.

Common Side Effects of Depo-Provera

The most common side effects experienced by Depo-Provera patients include:

  • Headaches
  • Irregular bleeding
  • Weight gain
  • Bloating
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Mood swings
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Acne
  • Loss of interest in sex

In addition to the above side effects, Depo-Provera has been linked to loss of bone density, particularly in teenagers and young women who are on the birth control shot.

Medical Studies Notice Link Between Depo-Provera and Brain Tumors

Two notable studies have identified a higher risk of developing meningiomas among Depo-Provera patients.

The 2024 British Medical Journal Study

In March 2024, the British Medical Journal (BMJ) published a study that raised serious concerns about the safety of Depo-Provera, particularly among patients who took the birth control shot much earlier in life.

The BMJ study analyzed numbers from the French National Health Data System about different kinds of progestins. This data revealed that the prolonged use of medrogestone, promegestone, and medroxyprogesterone acetate increased the chances of developing intracranial meningiomas.

According to the BMJ, medroxyprogesterone acetate (the primary progestin in Depo-Provera) made patients 555% more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas.

The 2025 JAMA Neurology Study

In September 2025, JAMA Neurology published a study by the Cleveland Clinic that found Depo-Provera patients were 2.43 times more likely to develop a meningioma than subjects in the control group.

The increased risk for brain tumors was notable for Depo-Provera patients who either:

  • Took the Depo shot for at least four years, or
  • Started taking the injectable contraceptive after age 31

What Are Intracranial Meningiomas?

Meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumor. Intracranial meningiomas develop in your meninges, the protective membranes of tissue that cover the spinal cord and the brain.

Approximately 170,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with meningiomas every year. These kinds of brain tumors are more common in older people, and they are three times more likely to develop in women than in men.

How Serious Is an Intracranial Meningioma?

Thankfully, most intracranial meningiomas are treatable and benign (non-cancerous) in nature. Doctors have estimated that 92% of patients will survive more than five years after they receive the initial meningioma diagnosis.

Signs and Symptoms of Intracranial Meningiomas

The most common signs and symptoms of intracranial meningiomas include:

  • Headaches
  • Blurry vision
  • Double vision
  • Hearing loss
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Difficulty speaking
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Weakness in the arms or legs
  • Paralysis in certain parts of the body
  • Loss of smell
  • Memory loss
  • Seizures

If you were a Depo-Provera patient and have noticed any of the symptoms we’ve listed, be sure to speak with your doctor as soon as possible. You can undergo testing to determine if you have developed an intracranial meningioma or are experiencing a different type of health issue.

What Treatment Will I Need If I Get a Brain Tumor from the Depo Shot?

If you develop an intracranial meningioma and it is causing serious health problems, the most common treatment options are as follows:

  • Surgical Removal of the Intracranial Meningioma: When tumors cause significant symptoms and continue to grow, surgical removal is often recommended. Complete removal of the brain tumor is not always possible, however, depending on where the meningioma is located in relation to the spinal cord and brain.
  • Radiation Therapy for Intracranial Meningioma: If the tumor cannot be surgically removed or can only be partially removed, your doctor may recommend radiation therapy to target the cells of the intracranial meningioma.
  • Chemotherapy for Intracranial Meningioma: If the intracranial meningioma does not respond to surgery or radiation therapy, your doctor may recommend chemotherapy. We should note that chemo is rarely used to treat this kind of brain tumor.

Monitoring a Meningioma When Treatment Is Not Required

Given the nature of intracranial meningiomas, not all patients will require immediate medical treatment. Remember that these types of tumors develop slowly, and doctors may take a wait-and-see approach if the tumor is not having adverse effects on a patient’s daily life. Patients should continue to see their doctors for regular checkups and screenings so proper treatment and care can be administered when needed.

The cost of treating a brain tumor is significant, which is why many women who took Depo-Provera in Jonesboro have questions about suing Pfizer and seeking legal compensation.

Long-Term Health Problems Associated with Intracranial Meningiomas

While intracranial meningioma patients have a high survival rate, the effects of their brain tumor can have a major impact on their quality of life even after undergoing successful treatment.

Studies of meningioma patients have found continued problems with headaches and vision. In addition, researchers discovered that patients continued to struggle with weakened extremities, fatigue, and memory function.

The lasting effects of intracranial meningioma also impacted patients’ personal and professional lives, affecting productivity at work and social interactions while contributing to feelings of isolation, anxiety, and depression.

Are Brain Tumors Listed on the Warning Label for Depo-Provera?

Up until recently, Pfizer never warned doctors or patients about the potential risk of developing brain tumors from the use of Depo-Provera.

In December 2025, the FDA finally added a safety warning to U.S. Depo-Provera labels about the increased risk of developing brain tumors, specifically intracranial meningiomas. Prior to December 2025, brain tumors and meningiomas were not mentioned on American warning labels for the birth control shot. The addition of this language was prompted by the numerous lawsuits against Pfizer filed by American Depo shot patients.

European and Canadian warning labels for Depo-Provera now cite the increased risk of intracranial meningioma from using the contraceptive injection.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Brain Tumors Caused by Depo-Provera Use?

Potentially, yes. You may be able to sue Pfizer if you took Depo-Provera for at least one year and developed a brain tumor later in your life. Any compensation sought will help cover the medical expenses related to the treatment of your intracranial meningioma and the brain tumor’s effects on your livelihood and quality of life.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is here to be an advocate for Jonesboro women on Depo-Provera who want to hold Pfizer legally accountable for brain tumors caused by the birth control shot.

If You Do Not Have Your Old Depo-Provera Prescription, We Can Find It for You

Many women in Jonesboro took Depo-Provera when they were much younger. In the years since, these women likely discarded their old prescriptions, the medical facilities where they received the prescriptions closed down, and these records are no longer easy to find.

If this describes your situation, our law firm can help. The team at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has investigators who can track down an old Depo-Provera prescription, even from clinics that have been closed for many years.

You do not need to have the prescription yourself to qualify for the Depo-Provera lawsuit in Jonesboro. You can trust our team to do the investigative work for you.

How Much Can I Win in a Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit?

This depends on a variety of factors that are unique to your brain tumor diagnosis and how your life has been affected. Compensation in Depo shot cases will typically cover:

  • Medical bills and healthcare costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of your intracranial meningioma
  • Loss of income and future wages caused by your intracranial meningioma
  • Changes in your quality of life associated with the development of intracranial meningiomas

As part of your free case evaluation, our birth control shot attorneys will review the lasting hardships associated with your diagnosis. Our lawyers will let you know how your lived experience affects the value of your Depo-Provera claim.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation. Our law firm has offices located in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2008, our lawyers have represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex lawsuits throughout the country. This includes a $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Depo-Provera Lawyer?

There is no upfront cost to hiring an attorney with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to offering free claim evaluations to Depo-Provera patients throughout Craighead County, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t pay our attorneys anything unless and until we can recover money for you.

Our attorneys are here to seek justice for Arkansas Depo-Provera patients who’ve developed brain tumors. We’ll amplify your voice and fight for you.

Did You Take Depo-Provera in Jonesboro? Contact Our Law Firm to Learn About Your Legal Options

If you or someone you care about took Depo-Provera for at least one year and has since developed a brain tumor, contact our birth control shot attorneys about filing a legal action against Pfizer. Our intracranial meningioma lawyers are ready to discuss your medical issues and determine if you are eligible for the Depo-Provera lawsuit.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

Depo-Provera Lawsuit Lawyer