Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit Attorney (2024 Update)

What is Provera?

Provera, a prescription medication containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, is a synthetic progestin hormone designed to mimic the effects of the natural hormone progesterone, according to the Mayo Clinic [1.]. The medication is used to manage a range of health conditions, particularly those related to hormonal imbalances.

Key Uses of Provera

• Menstrual Disorders: Provera is effective in treating heavy or irregular periods, abnormal uterine bleeding, and amenorrhea (absence of menstrual periods).
• Endometriosis and PCOS: Provera is used to manage symptoms of endometriosis and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), helping regulate menstrual cycles and reduce associated pain.
• Menopause Support: When combined with estrogen, Provera helps relieve menopausal symptoms in women with a uterus, reducing the risk of uterine lining thickening (endometrial hyperplasia).
• Uterine Cancer Prevention: For postmenopausal women on estrogen therapy, Provera can lower the risk of uterine cancer by balancing the effects of estrogen on the uterine lining.
• Hot Flashes from Prostate Cancer Treatment: Provera can also be prescribed to men undergoing prostate cancer treatments to reduce hot flashes.

Study Links Provera, Similar Hormone Therapy Drugs to Increased Brain Tumor Risk

A recent study warns that the active ingredient in Provera, along with two other menopause-relief drugs, may be associated with an elevated risk of brain tumors in certain women [2.].

Researchers published findings in the BMJ indicating that prolonged use of medroxyprogesterone acetate, the active ingredient in Provera, raises the risk of developing intracranial meningiomas by 5.6 times if used for more than one year. Additionally, the study found that other menopause drugs, including medrogestone and promegestone, also increased the risk of meningioma by 4.1-fold and 2.7-fold, respectively.

“In countries for which the use of medroxyprogesterone acetate for birth control is frequent [74 million users worldwide], the number of attributable meningiomas may be potentially high,” concluded the research team led by Noémie Roland, a general practitioner and epidemiologist with French National Health Insurance in Saint-Denis, France.

All three drugs—medroxyprogesterone acetate, medrogestone, and promegestone—belong to a class of hormones called progestogens, which are synthetic versions of the natural hormone progesterone. These medications are also prescribed for treating conditions like endometriosis and ovarian cysts.

The study, which analyzed data from the French health system, examined over 18,000 women who underwent surgery for intracranial meningiomas between 2009 and 2018. Each case was compared to five women without a history of meningiomas.

The study tracked the use of various progestogen drugs, including progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, dydrogesterone, medrogestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, promegestone, dienogest, and levonorgestrel. The researchers found that prolonged use, defined as more than one year, significantly increased the risk of developing meningiomas. However, there was no increased risk associated with drugs used for less than one year.

Interestingly, no increased risk of meningioma was found with the use of levonorgestrel, a progestogen used in IUDs and emergency contraceptives like Plan B.

What is a Meningioma?

A meningioma is a type of tumor that forms in the meninges, the three protective layers of tissue surrounding the brain and spinal cord, according to the Cleveland Clinic [3.]. These tumors develop from arachnoid cells, located in the thin, spiderweb-like membrane within the meninges. Although most meningiomas are benign (noncancerous), they can sometimes become malignant (cancerous).

“Most meningiomas aren’t cancerous (benign), though they can sometimes be cancerous (malignant). In general, if a tumor is cancerous, it means it’s aggressive, can invade other tissues and potentially spread to other parts of your body. A benign tumor won’t spread to other parts of your body.”

Meningiomas usually grow slowly and may go undiagnosed until they become large enough to cause symptoms by compressing nearby brain tissue, even when benign. If left untreated, large meningiomas can be life-threatening due to the pressure they exert on the brain.

Types of Meningiomas by Grade

• Grade I (Typical): These slow-growing, benign tumors represent about 80% of meningioma cases.
• Grade II (Atypical): Noncancerous but faster-growing, these tumors can be more resistant to treatment and account for around 17% of cases.
• Grade III (Anaplastic): Malignant meningiomas that grow and spread quickly, comprising about 1.7% of cases.

Types of Meningiomas by Location

• Convexity Meningiomas: These tumors grow on the brain’s surface and can create pressure as they expand.
• Intraventricular Meningiomas: Located in the brain’s ventricles, which contain cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
• Olfactory Groove Meningiomas: These grow between the brain and the nose at the skull’s base, near the olfactory nerve responsible for smell.
• Sphenoid Wing Meningiomas: Forming along a ridge of bone behind the eyes, these can impact vision and other functions.

There are also 15 different meningioma subtypes classified based on the tumor’s cell structure when viewed under a microscope.

Intracranial Meningioma Symptoms

Meningiomas can cause serious disability if they affect adjacent brain tissue, nerves, or vessels. Symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Nausea and vomiting
• Vision changes, such as double vision, blurriness, or loss of vision
• Hearing loss
• Seizures
• Behavioral or personality changes
• Memory problems
• Hyperreflexia
• Muscle weakness or paralysis in certain areas of the body

Depo-Provera Meningioma Brain Tumor Lawsuits Timeline

• September 17, 2024: Depo-Provera meningioma brain tumor lawsuits are gaining significant national attention from mass tort attorneys. Data from the FDA suggest that a large number of women received Depo-Provera birth control shots, indicating a potentially substantial pool of plaintiffs.
• July 14, 2024: A report in the New York Post highlights the case of a nurse who developed a brain tumor, causing her to experience symptoms such as hearing people speak different languages. She attributes her meningioma to hormone replacement therapy (HRT), Depo-Provera injections, and IVF treatments, all of which contain progesterone. After suffering from severe headaches and language comprehension difficulties, she was diagnosed with a meningioma. The nurse underwent surgery in May 2024 and is currently recovering but continues to struggle with memory loss.
• July 12, 2024: Following new evidence linking Depo-Provera to meningioma brain tumors, Pfizer updated the prescribing guidelines and information for the drug. However, despite these changes, Pfizer has yet to modify the warning label for Depo-Provera.
• April 25, 2024: Pfizer, the manufacturer of Depo-Provera, issued a public statement addressing the BMJ study that linked prolonged Depo-Provera use to meningioma brain tumors. Pfizer acknowledged the potential risks and announced that they are working with regulatory agencies to update product labels and patient information with appropriate warnings.
• March 29, 2024: A groundbreaking study published in the British Medical Journal revealed that long-term use of Depo-Provera significantly increases the risk of developing meningioma brain tumors. The study found that women who used Depo-Provera were more than five times as likely to be diagnosed with meningiomas compared to women who had never used the birth control shot.
• October 31, 2021: In a separate but related case, a Canada-wide class action settlement was reached concerning Depo-Provera’s link to bone mineral density loss. The settlement covers individuals who used Depo-Provera before May 31, 2010, and suffered from osteopenia, osteoporosis, or fragility fractures. This legal action offers a comparison to ongoing lawsuits involving Depo-Provera and brain tumors.Related Articles:
  • Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit
  • Depo-SubQ Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit
  • Rybelsus Stomach Paralysis

See all related dangerous drug lawsuits our attorneys covered so far.

Get a Free Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit Evaluation With Our Lawyers

The Dangerous Drugs Litigation Group at Schmidt & Clark, LLP law firm is an experienced team of trial lawyers that focus on the representation of plaintiffs in Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuits. We are handling individual litigation nationwide and are currently accepting new brain tumor cases in all 50 states.

Again, if you or a loved one was diagnosed with a brain tumor (intracranial meningioma) after receiving a Provera injection, you should contact a Provera Lawyer immediately for a free case review. You may be entitled to a settlement by filing a suit and our lawyers can help.