Depo-Provera Lawsuit

Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA) is an injectable contraceptive manufactured by Pfizer, administered every three months. It has been on the U.S. market since 1992 and has been used by millions of women, often for years at a time. It is also sold as Depo-SubQ Provera 104 and as authorized generics.

Why Are Depo-Provera Lawsuits Being Filed?

Plaintiffs allege that prolonged use of Depo-Provera increases the risk of intracranial meningioma, a tumor that grows from the membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and that Pfizer failed to warn U.S. patients and doctors for decades despite scientific evidence. A 2024 study published in the BMJ, analyzing more than 18,000 meningioma surgery cases from France’s national health database, reported that women who used injectable medroxyprogesterone acetate for a year or more had roughly a 5.5-fold increased risk of meningioma requiring surgery. Additional research, including a 2025 analysis published in JAMA Neurology, has reported elevated risk as well. In December 2025, the FDA approved a label change adding a meningioma warning to Depo-Provera’s prescribing information — a development plaintiffs argue confirms the risk and undermines Pfizer’s defenses. Pfizer maintains the drug is safe and effective when used appropriately.

MDL 3140: Where the Litigation Stands

In February 2025, federal Depo-Provera lawsuits were consolidated into MDL 3140 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida before Judge M. Casey Rodgers, who previously presided over the 3M Combat Arms earplug litigation. The MDL has been one of the fastest-growing in the federal system, with more than 5,500 cases pending as of the June 2026 JPML report and additional cases filed in state courts. The court held Rule 702 (Daubert) hearings on general causation June 24–26, 2026, and the first bellwether trial is scheduled for December 7, 2026. Under Pretrial Order No. 30, the court’s rulings on Pfizer’s preemption defense and on expert admissibility will apply to every case in the MDL. No settlements have been announced.

Injuries in the Depo-Provera Litigation

The litigation centers on intracranial meningioma. Although most meningiomas are non-cancerous, they can cause serious harm — headaches, vision problems, hearing loss, seizures, and cognitive changes — and often require brain surgery or radiation. Many plaintiffs underwent craniotomy or continue to live with tumors monitored by regular imaging.

Who May Qualify?

You may qualify for a free case review if you received Depo-Provera injections — typically for a year or longer — and were later diagnosed with a meningioma. Pharmacy and medical records establishing your injection history and imaging or pathology confirming the diagnosis are the key evidence. Because the link between Depo-Provera and meningioma was not widely publicized until recently, many states’ discovery rules may extend the time you have to file, but deadlines vary by state and are running now.

Important: Do not stop any prescribed contraceptive without first talking to your doctor about alternatives.

Claims reviewed by Baker Legal Team
Robert B. Baker, Esq., B.C.S. — Board-Certified Civil Trial Lawyer. 30+ years of trial experience, more than $400 million recovered for clients. About Robert Baker →