Depo-Provera is a birth control injection. It most often stops the ovaries from releasing an egg, so there’s no ovulation.
Pfizer manufactures Depo-Provera. The FDA first approved it for contraceptive use in October 1992. The shot contains a synthetic form of progesterone and is given every three months.
However, Pfizer is now being sued due to the alleged health risks linked to the pregnancy prevention drug. Here are five things you need to know about filing a Depo-Provera lawsuit.
1. Harm Alleged in the Depo-Provera Litigation
There have been claims that the use of Depo-Provera has resulted in meningioma, more commonly known as brain tumors.
Meningioma is a type of tumor that forms in the meninges, the protective layers covering the spinal cord and brain. These tumors can be slow-growing, and symptoms may include:
- Headaches
- Migraines
- Neurological changes, depending on the tumor’s location
- Seizures
- Vision problems
Treatment of the tumor often involves surgery.
Depo-Provera contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, which a recent study published in The BMJ links to an increased risk of developing meningiomas.
2. Consolidation of Depo-Provera Lawsuits as Part of the MDL
The number of pending Depo-Provera lawsuits continues to increase, and potentially thousands of lawsuits will eventually be filed against Pfizer.
The pending Depo-Provera lawsuits filed in federal court were recently consolidated in a multidistrict litigation (MDL) proceeding.
U.S. District Judge M. Casey Rodgers of the Northern District of Florida is assigned to the Depo-Provera MDL and will oversee all related federal court cases.
3. Types of Plaintiffs Filing Depo-Provera Lawsuits
Women from all different backgrounds are filing Depo-Provera lawsuits. The commonality they share is developing meningioma after using Depo-Provera for more than a year.
Plaintiffs argue that Pfizer was negligent in adequately disclosing the potential health risks of using Depo-Provera.
Though the drug carries a black box warning about bone density loss, it is alleged that Pfizer failed to communicate the potential health risk linked to brain tumors, limiting women from making informed choices about their birth control methods.
Women who file a Depo-Provera lawsuit against Pfizer may receive financial compensation to cover damages such as medical expenses, lost wages and other costs.
4. The Depo-Provera Litigation Will Take Time
It is also important to understand that the Depo-Provera litigation will take time. The lawsuits are still in the early discovery phase, and many are awaiting trial. Judge Rodgers has appointed leadership for the MDL.
As of May 2025, more plaintiffs have been added to the MDL, reaching well over 100 claims, though the litigation process is still ongoing.
5. The Status of the MDL
On Feb. 7, 2025, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) formed MDL 3140 IN RE: Depo-Provera (Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate) Products Liability Litigation.
The litigation is for women who took Depo-Provera and developed brain tumors. The lawsuit consolidation will occur in the Northern District of Florida.
On Feb. 21, 2025, Judge Rodgers held a case management conference. It is important to note that Judge Rodgers oversaw the 3M earplug product liability litigation.
Following a March 3, 2025, case management conference, Judge Rodgers appointed the Honorable David Herndon as a Special Master to assist with managing the MDL, and she also appointed a data administrator to oversee the large volume of documents in this litigation.
In addition, Judge Rodgers ruled that plaintiffs can file directly in Florida federal courts, which will make it easier for attorneys to file cases in this MDL.
Lastly, on May 1, 2025, the MDL judge issued an order that generic manufacturers Greenstone LLC and Viatris Inc. must participate in pre-trial discovery.
In Conclusion
All pharmaceutical companies have a duty to alert their consumers about all the potential risks of their drug. Pfizer allegedly failed to warn consumers about the potential link to meningiomas when using Depo-Provera.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a new problem. Global manufacturers often cut corners or aren’t fully transparent to maximize their own profits.
Though filing lawsuits may result in financial compensation for those affected by taking Depo-Provera, taking legal action is ultimately about holding drug manufacturers responsible and preventing them from causing further harm to others.
When you stand up for your rights, you force pharmaceutical companies to be accountable for their negligent actions and do better for consumer safety.