For people struggling with menopause symptoms or hoping to minimize the risk of pregnancy, turning to your doctor for treatment is a simple and straightforward decision. You expect your doctor to recommend effective and safe medications. Sometimes that does not happen.
Depo-Provera, a drug used to provide menopause relief and as a birth control method, could be linked to the onset of brain tumors. A new study found a link between the drug and the increased risk of brain tumor development in those who took the prescription medication for an extended period of time.
For those who have used this medication or a related prescription and who have developed a brain tumor, it is critical to seek the help of a Depo-Provera drug injury lawyer who can provide you with guidance and help navigating a class action lawsuit for the drug. Kwartler Manus works with victims who are facing uncertainty due to others’ mistakes.
Call us at (267) 457-5570 or contact us today to learn more about what we can do for you.
A study published by the British Medical Journal compared more than 100,000 women who took the drug Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone acetate) and who later developed meningiomas, a type of tumor. The study found an increased risk of about 5.55% with prolonged use of the drug for a year or more. With this increased risk, an estimated 1 in 5 women using Depo-Provera could, at some point, suffer the same life-threatening complications.
The research team found that in countries where the use of the drug is common for birth control, the number of attributed meningiomas is potentially very high. About 74 million women used the drug in this way, according to the study. In the US, about 1.2 million women use the drug on a yearly basis.
When used as a treatment for menopause, the hormone therapy drugs medrogestone and promegestone caused an increase in brain tumors by 4.1-fold and 2.7-fold, respectively.
Depo-Provera is the brain name of a medication containing medroxyprogesterone acetate, a synthetic form of progesterone. Patients typically inject it into their tissue once every three months.
These medications fall into the progestogen classification of drugs. They are made to replace the natural hormone progesterone. Numerous other uses of the drugs exist, including the treatment of ovarian cysts, abnormal uterine bleeding, and endometriosis.
Studies have shown for some time that there is a risk to health using high-dose progestogens, including a risk of meningioma. However, this latest study found that eight more commonly used forms of the hormone are also associated with the increased risk than were known prior.
An intracranial meningioma, or brain tumor, associated with this condition is a type of non-cancerous growth that occurs on the layers of tissue that covers the outside of the brain and moves down the spinal cord. Over time, they can become cancerous. This accounts for about 40% of all cancers in the central nervous system.
The size and location of meningiomas determine if the commonly benign tumors will cause significant health issues. In some situations, women experience symptoms such as:
These conditions can develop over time. Many women do not associate these changes in symptoms with the birth control medications they experience. As the meningiomas grow, they put pressure on the surrounding brain tissue, blood vessels, and nerves. This leads to initial symptoms and, over time, can lead to a loss of blood flow to the area, strokes, or, in some cases, cancerous development.
Without treatment, many conditions worsen until they apply compression to vital anatomical structures in the brain or surrounding area. This leads to a decline in brain function and, ultimately, complications in sustaining life.
Treatment options for meningiomas can be intensive and carry their own risk. This includes the use of radiation as well as surgery to remove the tumor and potentially alleviate symptoms. Some people suffer ongoing complications from the condition as well as from the treatment for years to come.
To create its findings, the researchers look at the women within the French national healthcare system who had surgery for intracranial meningiomas from 2009 through 2018, the most common initial treatment for the condition. They found that 18,061 women, with an average age of 58, had the surgery. They then compared this information with five healthy, matched controls. They found a clear link in those who took the medication for 12 months or longer suffering a much higher need for the surgery.
Researchers warned that women who were using any of the progestogen drugs, including progesterone, hydroxyprogesterone, dydrogesterone, medrogestone, medroxyprogesterone acetate, promegestone, dienogest, and levonorgestrel, should seek guidance from their doctor on their continued use of the substance. They also noted the need for additional research and study to better understand the link.
According to reports, Pfizer issued the following statement in relation to the research study results, “We are aware of this potential risk associated with long-term use of progestogens and, in collaboration with regulatory agencies, are in the process of updating product labels and patient information leaflets with appropriate wording.”
If you are one of the many women who have been prescribed Depo-Provera for menopause hormonal therapy or as a birth control, consider the following steps.
1. Speak to your doctor about your symptoms
If you have any symptoms of brain function changes, including headaches, changes to hearing or vision, or neurological changes, talk to your doctor about your use of these drugs. Your doctor may recommend additional testing to rule out any presence of brain tumors. Early detection is critical.
2. Document your case with a Depo-Provera drug injury lawyer
The onset of these conditions could be found as a form of medical malpractice or product liability, depending on who is to blame in your situation. While there is risk associated with using these drugs, if you were not informed of that risk or your doctor knew you were at an increased risk of developing tumors or cancers due to medical or family history, they may be held accountable.
3. Learn more about the class action lawsuit
After the study was announced, numerous Depo-Provera drug injury lawyers began the process of investigating claims. If you believe you have such a claim, reach out to our legal team to find out what your rights are. You can set up a free consultation to discuss your case with our legal team.
We can determine if you can file a claim against the manufacturer of the drug or a doctor who put you at risk when you contact us. If you qualify to join a class action lawsuit, we can help you to achieve this properly, mitigating any risk that your information would disqualify you in any way.
While the Depo-Provera lawsuit related to brain tumors is ongoing, there have been other claims against the company from those who have used this drug. In previous cases, the drug has been linked to changes in bone density in women who used the drug.
If you have taken this drug for any length of time, we strongly encourage you to contact our law firm for a free consultation to discuss your rights.
Individuals who have suffered losses as a result of their exposure to these drugs should seek legal action to pursue damages from the at-fault party. Some of the damages you may be able to seek financial compensation for include:
You must meet the Statute of Limitations to qualify. If you live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, you have two years from the date of diagnosis to seek a lawsuit against the responsible parties.
Our experience fighting for victims of medical malpractice and product liability is extensive. We recognize the risks that victims have, including their online financial loss, physical injury, and emotional trauma. Most importantly, we know how to hold big companies responsible for the losses and damages they cause to others.
Our experienced team is compassionate and trusted. We treat every one of our clients with respect and guidance, providing ongoing communication and support throughout the class action lawsuit process, which can be long and drawn out. Call us today to schedule a free consultation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, or Cherry Hill, New Jersey.
If you or your family member suffered serious losses from the use of Depo-Provera, including brain tumors, we highly recommend contacting us right away to become part of a potential class action lawsuit. Our Depo-Provera drug injury lawyer can guide you. Contact our office at Kwartler Manus now to learn more about what we can do for you.
For information about filing a lawsuit or joining a mass tort, please call us at (267) 457-5570 or contact us online today.
