Thousands Sue Pfizer Over Contraceptive Brain Tumors

More than 2,100 women across the United States have filed lawsuits against Pfizer, alleging that its popular birth control injection, Depo-Provera, led to the development of brain tumors. These plaintiffs claim they were not adequately warned about the link between the contraceptive and meningiomas, benign tumors that can grow undetected for decades.

Recent studies have indicated a significantly increased risk of meningiomas for Depo-Provera users, with one study showing a 5.6-fold increase for those using it for 12 months or more. The lawsuits assert that Pfizer was aware of these risks but failed to provide sufficient warnings, despite millions of women relying on the contraceptive annually. The drug delivers synthetic progestin, which experts believe may overstimulate membranes surrounding the brain and spine.

Pfizer has now added a warning label to Depo-Provera regarding the risk of meningiomas, a move that lawyers involved in the litigation describe as long overdue. A trial is scheduled for December 7, 2026, with further trials planned for other plaintiffs. Lawyers encourage women diagnosed with meningiomas who have used Depo-Provera to consult legal counsel promptly.