Long Island mom, Elizabeth Fleurisma, discovered that she had a brain tumour the size of a lime at the age of 30. After a 16-hour surgery and weeks of radiation, Fleurisma still has a piece of the tumour lodged in her skull.
Fleurisma is one of hundreds of women who believes the tumours were caused by prolonged use of Depo-Provera birth control, which is manufactured by pharmaceutical company, Pfizer.
According to The New York Post, Fleurisma is one of the women suing Pfizer for allegedly failing to adequately warn users of the increased risk of brain tumours.
What is Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera is a hormonal birth control injection containing progestin that is administered every three months to prevent pregnancy. It works by preventing ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to block sperm, and thinning the uterine lining.
According to NBC News, studies have found a potential link between Depo-Provera birth control injections and meningioma tumours.
The Pfizer Class Action Lawsuit
According to The Guardian, the class action lawsuit alleges that Pfizer failed to warn women and doctors about an increased risk of developing an intracranial meningioma if Depo-Provera is used for more than a year.
Since May, the number of lawsuits filed by women in the US against Pfizer has increased to more than 1,300, which have been consolidated in the multi-district litigation, according to the law firm Levin Papantonio, which is bringing the action.
