Pfizer Asks Judge To End Key Depo-Provera Claims
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The manufacturer of a popular birth control shot is asking a federal judge to throw out key claims in Depo-Provera lawsuits that link the drug to brain tumors.
Pfizer, the maker of Depo-Provera, faces lawsuits alleging that the birth control injection can raise the risk of meningiomas, a type of brain tumor.
More than 1,200 cases are currently active in federal court, with thousands more expected. The first cases were filed in 2024 and have since been consolidated into multi-district litigation (MDL), a process that allows federal courts to manage large groups of similar lawsuits together. There are also related cases active in state courts.
A ruling on Pfizer’s request in the MDL could have a significant impact on the future of this litigation, which centers on claims that the company knew of the brain tumor risks and failed to warn consumers.
Pfizer’s Motion for Summary Judgment
Pfizer filed a motion for summary judgment in late August in the MDL and oral arguments were held last week. A summary judgment allows one party to request that a judge rule in their favor without requiring the case to proceed to trial.
The pharma-giant’s request is based on a legal concept called federal preemption, which means that federal law can override state-level claims. The company argues that it cannot be held liable for failing to warn patients about meningioma risk because the U.S. Food and Drug Administration rejected a proposed label update that would have included that warning.
Pfizer first flagged the potential risk in 2023, after reviewing new research suggesting the link between Depo-Provera use and meningiomas. The company asked the FDA to approve a label update, but it was rejected.
A 2024 BMJ study found that women who used Depo-Provera had a higher risk of developing brain tumors, reinforcing earlier research on the drug’s dangers.
“This is a clear preemption case because FDA expressly barred Pfizer from adding a warning about meningioma risk, which Plaintiffs say state law required,” Pfizer wrote in its motion to the court.
At the end of September, the judge overseeing the MDL heard arguments from both sides, but has not yet issued a decision. A ruling in Pfizer’s favor could dismiss or narrow many lawsuits, while a denial would allow the litigation to proceed toward trial.
What Consumers Should Know
Meningiomas are tumors that form in the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord. While most are noncancerous, they can still cause serious health issues, including vision problems, headaches and seizures.
Because these tumors are hormone-sensitive, some researchers believe long-term exposure to synthetic progestins such as medroxyprogesterone acetate, the active ingredient in Depo-Provera, may increase the risk of meningioma growth.
Progestin is a lab-made form of progesterone, a natural reproductive hormone. Many meningiomas contain hormone receptors for progesterone, which suggests that this hormone can influence tumor development.
Since meningiomas are more common in women, scientists believe female hormones may play a key role in the formation and growth of these tumors.
Depo-Provera birth control remains on the U.S. market. Consumers with questions or concerns about the drug should consult their healthcare provider.
Lawyers are reviewing Depo-Provera claims. Individuals who used the birth control shot and were later diagnosed with meningioma may be eligible to join ongoing lawsuits.
