Depo-Provera Litigation and Legal Information

Depo-Provera is an injectable contraceptive that helps prevent pregnancy. It is part of a class of medications called “progestins.” It works by preventing ovulation (the release of eggs from the ovaries) and thinning the uterine lining. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Depo-Provera in 1992.

Pfizer manufactures Depo-Provera (depot medroxyprogesterone acetate). There is a generic version of the drug, medroxyprogesterone acetate injectable. Millions of women in the United States take this drug to prevent pregnancy. However, this form of birth control carries serious adverse side effects and health risks.

This article describes Depo-Provera and legal action regarding the drug. Learn how Depo-Provera has been linked to brain cancer, breast cancer, loss of bone density, and other serious health risks.

Pharmaceutical companies have a legal responsibility to ensure their medications are safe to use and carry adequate warnings. If you have been harmed after using Depo-Provera injectable birth control, you have legal options. A product liability attorney near you can determine if you have a valid claim and recommend next steps to protect your legal rights. It is essential to act promptly to avoid missing your state’s statute of limitations.

Side Effects of Depo-Provera Injections

As with hormonal contraceptives, Depo-Provera has minor and severe side effects. Weigh these possible side effects against the benefits before taking the drug.

Common side effects of Depo-Provera include:

• Changes in menstrual periods
• Weight gain
• Heavy bleeding
• Irritability
• Depression
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
• Hot flashes
• Breast pain, swelling, or tenderness
• Stomach cramps or bloating
• Back or joint pain
• Loss of hair on the scalp
• Swelling, redness, irritation, burning, or itching of the vagina
• Changes in sexual desire
• Cold or flu symptoms

Other less common but potentially serious side effects include:

• Sudden shortness of breath
• Sudden sharp or crushing chest pain
• Coughing up blood
• Severe headache
• Upset stomach
• Vomiting
• Dizziness or faintness
• Vision problems, including double vision
• Bulging eyes
• Difficulty speaking
• Weakness or numbness in an arm or leg
• Seizure
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Extreme tiredness
• Pain, swelling, warmth, redness, or tenderness in one leg only
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

If you experience several of these symptoms, let your doctor know. You may want to consider switching to a birth control pill, IUD, or other method of birth control. It all comes down to the severity of your side effects.

Depo-Provera Health Risks and Medical Complications

Besides the side effects, taking Depo-Provera poses other health risks. Women under 35 who began taking the drug may face a slightly higher risk of developing breast cancer.

Patients also risk developing blood clots, which can potentially lead to a pulmonary embolism or stroke. The doctor prescribing this medication will discuss these risk factors with you.

According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, taking Depo-Provera while pregnant does not necessarily increase your risk of miscarriage or congenital disabilities. Still, every patient must decide whether this risk is worth taking.

Depo-Provera may cause other medical complications. Minor complications include weight gain, headaches, and irregular menstrual cycles. Often, Depo-Provera patients will stop having menstrual periods. In other cases, patients may have spotting or irregular bleeding.

Major complications associated with Depo-Provera include bone density loss and allergic reactions. If a patient becomes pregnant while taking Depo-Provera or experiences stabbing abdominal pain, their doctor must examine them for a possible ectopic pregnancy.

Who Should Avoid Taking the Depo-Provera Birth Control Shot

Patients who have a history of breast cancer or who have breast cancer shouldn’t take Depo-Provera. Even if a patient suspects they may have breast cancer, they shouldn’t take an injection of this contraceptive.

Other patients who should avoid taking Depo-Provera include the following:

• Patients who’ve had a stroke
• Patients with endometriosis
• Patients who’ve had a blood clot in their lungs or limbs
• Patients who have liver problems or liver disease
• Patients who have unexplained vaginal bleeding

Your doctor will examine you for any health issues before prescribing Depo-Provera. If they discover any of these conditions, they’ll suggest an alternative form of birth control.

Recent Study Links Depo-Provera To Increased Risk of Meningioma

A 2024 scientific study by Jama Neurology linked Depo-Provera to brain tumors. The study specifically links use of Depo-Provera to intracranial meningioma, a type of brain tumor. As a result, a growing number of women who received at least two injections of Depo-Provera and later received a meningioma diagnosis are filing lawsuits against Pfizer.

These lawsuits are expected to proceed through both multidistrict litigation (MDL) and state courts. 

There was an important court hearing in late September 2025 regarding these Depo-Provera lawsuits. Pfizer asked the judge to dismiss some of the claims, arguing that federal preemption should apply. However, the attorneys for the plaintiffs contended the company didn’t share key safety information with the FDA, so those protections shouldn’t apply.

If you are or have been a Depo-Provera user and notice any symptoms of a meningioma brain tumor, see a healthcare provider immediately. Then, consider contacting an attorney for help filing a meningioma lawsuit.

FDA Orders “Black Box” Warning for Depo-Provera

In November 2004, the FDA announced that Pfizer would add a black box warning to its Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection label. The label warns that long-term Depo-Provera use may cause loss of bone density.

The warning also says a woman should only use Depo-Provera as a long-term birth control method if other birth control methods prove inadequate.

Besides the black box warning, Depo-Provera manufacturer Pfizer issued a “Dear Healthcare Professional” letter about the effect of long-term treatment on bone mineral density. This letter also included new information in the patient information sheet distributed with Depo-Provera.

Study Indicates Depo-Provera Increases Risk of Sexually-Transmitted Infections

An August 2004 study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) suggests that Depo-Provera increases a woman’s risk of acquiring the STIs chlamydia and gonorrhea. The risk is approximately three times greater for Depo-Provera users, compared with women who do not use a hormonal contraceptive.

Although the study was unable to determine why Depo-Provera use causes this increased risk, it is recommended that sexually active women who are not in mutually monogamous relationships undergo proper counseling when using this contraceptive.

Manufacturers Can Be Liable for Injuries

Like other drugs, Depo-Provera must meet patient safety standards. Under product liability law, drug manufacturers and sellers must ensure their products are safe and free from defects.

Contraceptives must not contain product defects such as manufacturing defects, defective warnings, and design defects. If a drug manufacturer or seller markets an unreasonably dangerous or defective contraceptive, it can be liable for any resulting injuries.

For example, if a patient took a contraceptive and became ill, they could sue the drug manufacturer. If they win, the court will award the plaintiff financial compensation.

These damages may include:

• Medical bills and future medical expenses
• Lost wages and lost future income
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages

Courts rarely award punitive damages in this type of case. Punitive damages punish defendants for egregious conduct. It will be challenging to prove that the manufacturer of Depo-Provera intentionally marketed a dangerous product.

Your Doctor May Also Be Liable for Your Injuries

Healthcare providers owe their patients a duty of care. When treating a patient, the treatment must meet specific standards. If your health care is subpar and harms you, the courts may hold your doctor liable for medical malpractice.

For example, if a doctor inadvertently injects Depo-Provera into a breast cancer patient and the patient later suffers injuries, the doctor may be liable for medical malpractice.

Take Legal Action: Contact an Attorney About Your Depo-Provera Lawsuit

If you or a loved one had the Depo-Provera shot and are now sick, you may have a legal claim. The best way to know is to meet with an experienced attorney for legal advice. If you proceed with a claim, your attorney and their legal team can help gather medical records and expert testimony to support your claim. They will guide you through your dangerous drug claim and advocate for fair compensation.

FindLaw’s directory of product liability attorneys can connect you with local legal experts who can help you get a favorable verdict. Select your state or city to review contact and ratings information for local experts. Your search results will also link you to additional details about the attorneys’ experience with Depo-Provera cases. Many attorneys offer free case evaluations.