Dr. Kapoor: Methadone OK for Pregnant Anna

A lawyer for the doctor who prescribed drugs to Anna Nicole Smith in the late stages of her pregnancy says giving methadone to Smith was "medically sound and appropriate."

The lawyer for Dr. Sandeep Kapoor responded to allegations of medical misconduct today in a statement to TMZ, saying, in part, "Medical research and protocols confirm that methadone is approved for use by pregnant patients." According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, methadone treatment for pregnant women can "save [a] baby's life" and can "allow [one] to regain...quality of life." The government also says that using methadone while pregnant "will not cause birth defects for [a] baby."

The lawyer also defended the doctor's use of an alias for Smith's methadone prescription, explaining, "The media frenzy surrounding Smith's life and tragic death underscores why public figures may choose to use pseudonyms in order to protect the privacy of their medical treatment."

Kapoor's attorney didn't discuss the specifics of his treatment of Anna Nicole, citing the confidentiality of medical records, saying only that the "treatment program for Anna Nicole Smith was at all times medically sound and appropriate."

According to the statement, Kapoor "will cooperate with any inquiries by the Medical Board of California," which said yesterday that it would investigate the doctor's prescribing Smith's drugs to an alias. Kapoor's lawyer also says he is "saddened" by Anna's death and offers his condolences to her family.



Tags: anna nicole smith, AnnaNicoleSmith, dr. sandeep kapoor, Dr.SandeepKapoor

Reader Comments

(Page 20 of 20) Previous 15 Comments

286. I do not know if methodaone is a approved drug to prescribe when a woman is pregnant. But I do know it is understandable for a celebrity to recieve medications under an assumed name given the cut throat frenzy the so called tabloid media has toward uncovering anything negative about them.

I do not think it makes any common sense for HS to bring Anna Nicole to the US and then do something to precipit her death given the past circumstances with her son's death. Common sense does not dictate that he would do this.

I think Big Moe is credible so far, and that the lastest information may not necessarily be negative against Mr. Stern. Just because the police questioned Big Moe does it does not immediately follow that something bad has surfaced about HS. Also I question TMZ when they quote this information. They say I have been told, or my sources tell me. What sources? Did the police involved tell you something? Did Big Moe or someone involved in the interview tell you something? What is suspicious about HS walking in the hotel and talking on his cell? Nothin. People do that all the time.

I also think that many have a image that Larry is totally innocent in anything negative in Anna's life. I am not saying he did not care about her. But he was making plenty of money off her as well. It was also displayed in the hearing that he was capable of plenty of malace toward her. Does no one remember some of his hateful words in the his emails. He even called her a Devil. Moreover, I do not believe he is being controlled by HS. Did not one see the body language before the press after the decision at the hearing in Florida. When HS did not appear to hear or be able to speak to the camera, it was Larry who seemed to be in perfect controll. He even took over and spoke for HS. Not a person who is intimidated by HS.

HS may indeed be guilty of something. I would hope not. But he is the only one who appeared to always be with Anna conducting business and personal duties for her over the past years. He seems to be the one who consistently tried to protect her. He may have known and worried that she took too much medication. He said on the stand he had talked with her about it, and he also said he was not a physican. He has made it clear that she made her own decisions. Just look at footage of her over the past years and you can see that is true. If he is guilty of any criminal conduct let time prove that and then he should answer for it, but it is not fair to convict him in the press prior to that., such as Anna's mother did. Her mother clearly has no credibility where Anna was concerned. I just wonder if anything will be reported about her mother's attorney making statements on TV that there were 7 life insurance policies on Anna with Danny then HS being the beneficiaries if this proves not to be a fact. Which I doubt is a fact. This is a supposed ethical attorney. Does this accusation give him any crebibility. At least HS attorney's appear and continue to say lets wait and see. We are willing to let it play out in the courts if that is what the others want. They do not make wild accusing statements.

We the public do of course want to hear about this situation and we are interested. But we do deserve truth and not so much speculation. It appears that TMZ and the Gretta program On the Record is willing to speculate too much. On the Record is clearly showing tapes that it appears were stolen from the house shortly after her death. What kind of ethical behavior is that? In Gretta's tour of the Shelly house the other night. It was very clear that it was HS that was there with Anna in Dec of 2005. Close to the time of her becoming pregnant. So what if his bedroom is a short distance away from Anna, what does that prove. Has anyone given any thought to the fact that HS may not know for sure whether he is the biological father, but may have been told by Anna that she thought he was. Also, the lady stated that Anna used no drugs while there except for someting for her seizure problem. Was that not picked up by anyone.

Too many inconsistences in all the reporting.

Posted at 3:45PM on Mar 9th 2007 by Nannette Hammond

287. I am just curious as to why a pregnant woman would be taking methadone? From what I have read so far there is 2 reasons, 1. for treatment of heroin addiction or 2. for pain relief. I saw that she wasnt given the methadone until a while into her pregnancy, So which reason is it? Or is there other reasons to take this drug? And why wont the doctor say why he gave it to her? the confidentiality thing shouldnt be a reason, the woman is dead,

Posted at 3:08PM on Mar 11th 2007 by Debby

288. http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2007/02/anna_nicoles_lost_interview_ab.html

Watch this precious "lost video" I found today on "EXTRA's" web site - Anna is hopefull and she says the happiest ever after rehab - I don't think this doctor or his pills is what Anna ever wanted in her life again - is a matter of fact - she says so!

Posted at 5:12PM on Mar 10th 2007 by Patsy

289. I think he is a groupie! He wanted to be a part of the big life and found it with Anna and there it is. I don't think he wanted her so to speak because he sounded very gay to me. Entertainment drugs could all so be Viagra maybe?

Posted at 2:44AM on Mar 10th 2007 by kat

290. Anna Nicole woke up in her hospital room and screemed "you did this" to Howard Stern so Howard Stern gave Daniel that lethal drink. You will always have peope commenting that can't think beyond the nose on their face. Also, searching someone's home without a warrant may be illegal, but the house did not belong to Howard Stern or Anna Nicole. They were both squatters, and squatters have no rights. I have to agree that Howard K. Sterns deck of cards is folding. People can see right through him and Ron Rale.

Posted at 10:30AM on Mar 10th 2007 by Markeia

291. Howard Stern was present when two people died mysteriously. Two people (Anna & her son Daniel) Now the way is clear for Stern & Ron Rale to be the Executor of a $475 Million Dollar Estate. With Anna gone and her son gone, who is standing in their way. All the players are gone that could have tossed both Ron Rale & Howard K. Stern off the will as executors. Also, Anna could have changed her will at any time, hired new attorney's and that would be the end for Rale and Stern to come anywhere near getting part of that $475 Million. Also, with Stern on the birth certificate, he knew he would control Dannielynn. That is why Ron Rale would not let Anna Nicole take a DNA test on her and Dannielynn. There needs to be a grand jury convened i and stop playing these ridiculous little games, like Ron Rale saying "Howard Stern is a good guy" said Ron Rale on CNN He also said "When this all passes, and you hear Howard's side, everyone will see. that Stern is innocent." Ron Rale stands to gain Millions of Dollars also from the scenario. Ron Rale appears that he knows nothing about what is going on. But I will bet that Ron Rale was the person on the phone with Howard Stern at noon when Big Mo said Stern was pacing in the hotel lobby on the day that Anna Nicole died. Ron Rale probably told Stern to act like nothing is wrong, and let Big Mo and the Nurse find her dead. Ron Rale and Howard Stern should have their phone lines tapped. You will hear a wealth of information from their conversations. It would be hard to murder two people and stay rational. That is what Ron Rale is doing for Stern right now. Keeping him calm. After all, they can't blow it now. They are much closer to the $475 Million Dollar Jack Pot now , then they were while Anna Nicole and her son Daniel were alive. So far, they have alot of people fooled. They have murdered two people, and only have to contend with a 6 month old baby now. Keep her away from a DNA test until we can work out a deal with Larry Birkhead, so we can continue on as Executors of this Estate. If Birkhead gets a DNA test now, Birkhead can chose whoever he wants to be Executors. Birkhead would take charge of Dannielyn and chose anyone he wants. It is a Murderous Game that has been played here.

Posted at 10:33AM on Mar 10th 2007 by Markeia

292. Bobby trendy was laughing at him on Nancy Grace on the pics of this doctore in a gstring in the national enquirier magazine..did you guys see the pics! i fatred hard when i saw them!!!!

Posted at 1:50PM on Mar 10th 2007 by anal nicole

293. In Florida they have a term - I think it is a legal term - "sunshine" - this refers to not hiding anyting from the judicial process.

It is a blessing that Anna Nicole died in Florida and not the Bahamas - I think this is where Howard K. Stern let his guard down & became obbessed with 'possessions' like the boat.

What was the urgency to get that boat? According to Rale, Anna had the flu - flu-like symptoms. According to Howard Anna had 105 temparture. According to Bonnie Stern, Howard was 'icing her down' the morning she died. According to Moe she was sick, very depressed, had pnuemonia and was on antibiotics.

Wasn't she with Don King, Howard & Moe at fight the night before? She looked pretty.

We know Virigie has a hold (may not be the corrrect term) from Dannielynn leaving the Bahamas. Pretty smart on Virgie's part.

Ron Rale did look like a fool on Nancy Grace last night - but you know what? He is not stupid, he is good at pretending he doesn't know anything about anything.

If something happens to Howard K Stern, the way the Will is right now, Rale gets all the money - if there is any money in the end.

I believe it will take a while and it more people could die before this investigation is over. I pray not - but after I heard the private investigator on Inside Edition last night, he confirmed what I thought all along but never dreamed it would be this clear -- Danniel was upset that Howard K. Stern has the control he had on his mother.

The police from the Bahamas came to the USA to talk to him becasue they found his business card on Danneil's body.

Howard K. Stern is not as smart and clever as I thought it was.

If he is innocent of any wrong doing, the worst thing he could do is refuse to talk to anyone but ET - I think he & Mark Steinis have a serious attraction to each other - I've never seen in my lifetime a TV station own the rights to a celebrities funeral & life - BUT IT MAKES SENSE NOW.

The coward Howard is, he can easily say, I have an exclusive contract to speak to ET only - Et flies Mark Steinis to Mark, they fly HKS with Mark on their corporate jet - and with ET Howard K Stern feels like a hero.

I am not quiet as angry at ET now - What made me mad at them in the begining was how we had to watch only tiny parts of the funeral & the music over a week or so with commercials, etc., but Howard K. Stern did not only need the money but he needed them to push his story - praise him and trash Anna's mother and Danniel's grandmother.

After all I've discovered in the past three days, if I was Virgie & that was my daughter & grandson, I think I would have swung that shovel at all those men stading there by my daughter's grave. I would have swund it at them and told them to stand back.

Mr. & Mrs. Goen, Bonnie Stern, Howard Stern, Mark Steinis & Mary Hart can take all the satisfication they want from trying to convince a nation to hate a mother and a grandmother who lost them under A BIG SUSPICOUS CLOUD... After Danneil died, none of these people warned Anna to be careful of the same thing could happen to her.

Anna was a free spirit - but if you wattch the "the lost viedo" of Anna on EXTRA's web site it is clear what happened to her & who managed her business after that.

I am curious to how much Trimspa effected Anna - maybe just the pressure of showing up - an addict as Anna talks about - she said I'll never use pills again - I am going to be happy and "make my fans happy forever"
http://extratv.warnerbros.com/2007/02/anna_nicoles_lost_interview_ab.html



Posted at 8:59PM on Mar 10th 2007 by Patsy

294. I haven't read all the comments so forgive me if I'm repeating what has been said. My son takes methsdone for pain. He was shot in the back and it's the only thing that helped with the PAIN. Could ANS have had severe pain somewhere?
What I find interesting are the videos. The clown one was when she was 8 months pregnant as I recall. The doc prescribed methadone for her when she was 8 months pregnant. Perhaps she took it and hadn't been used to taking it. The reactiion is simiiar to how my son acted when he started back on the methadone after trying something else for pain. Out of it, spacey. Even Howard couldn't understand what she was taking. In addition by 8 months the critical formation of the baby is over. Perhaps she put up with pain through out that time but couldn't stand it around month 8 and asked for methadone. Believe me back pain definitely comes during the late stages of pregnancy. The other video was part of Baby's First Christmas. Every new parent tapes Baby's First Christmas. And perhaps the presents being opened were from someone special. It seemed that she and Howard were both stoned in that video.

Posted at 5:58PM on Mar 10th 2007 by Carole

295. gee whiz people get a grip for all of you that say it is ok for a dr to prescribed methodone remember the bottle she had in her frig is ILLEGAL to presribe also he cannot presribe meds to a patient in another country where HE DOES NOT have a license to practice. Methodone prescribed to howard? FOR ANS we know also illegal as hell. What doctor do you know parties and drinks and kisses on his patients. I know what an enabling is enabling person also is for controlling a relationship. I believe it is illegal to ship these types of drugs across state AND especially country borders where is the common sense that so many of you seem to lack it is frightening that so many of you are completely clueless. FOR THOSE WHO AGREE WITH MY VIEW I THANK YOU / MEM

Posted at 9:04PM on Mar 10th 2007 by miriam

296. I didn't realize their were so many perfect people in this world or should I say so many GODS to past judgment. NONE OF YOU HAVE EVER DONE ANYTHING WRONG IN YOUR LIVES? YOU THINK, YOU ALL HAVE THE ALL RIGHT TO PASS JUGDEMENT ON OTHERS!!!!!! I wish I could be like all of you! passing judgment (NOT) especially on a person that can no longer defend themselves! Give it a rest! There are so many other things in this world that can you can do to make a difference. Just stop and think for one minute about how it felt to you, when someone has past judgment on something you have done in your life. Please don't say "I have never done anything wrong" because we all have. Think, would you really enjoy being attacked? They say people like you made her life hell. Can't you think for a minute, what it would be like for her baby daughter to read these negative things your all writing about her mother when she is older? I think it is horrible that no one thinks about Danielynn, she never did anything to any of you, but she will be the one to see what is written and televised about her and her mother.

Posted at 5:13PM on Mar 12th 2007 by Stephanie

297. #9 you make the most sense! I agree #13. by crazy lady

Posted at 12:24AM on Mar 15th 2007 by dthorne6@hotmail.com

298. sorry why is my email shown on line

Posted at 11:53AM on Mar 25th 2007 by della thorne

299. Is everyone a doctor? natalie - have you examined ANS? or did you just hear this over your pot smoking break about methadone?

you actually sound like that guy howard stern disguised as a woman. Or may be you are just another drugged up loser just too ugly to make it in holywood or where ever the hell you are from.

People like you should lose your right to the first amendment since you are misuing it.

I think the doctor should get a book deal to tell us how he managed a woman like ANS - sorry I am not slinging mud at the dead - but thing is it is hard to treat high profile women in general. I am glad someone like this doc is available for those in need.

Posted at 11:31PM on Mar 28th 2007 by hate the haters

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