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

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61. Natalie, you obviously don't know anything about drug addiction or methadone. It is not that easy to just "STOP"because someone tells you to. Second, Anna was a drug addict before Howard came along...Know anything about anna either? or are u just in the mood to bash someone tonight....3rd, regarding my previous post, yes, the only thing that is wrong about this whole thing, which I will agree with u on, because its a fact, is that it is illegal to obtain a script as an alias. Think about it though. I think someone else posted on here why they may have done that. So shit like this didn't start. Because it would have been leaked to the media and ignorant people would have talked shit and judged her just as they are doing now.

Posted at 7:31PM on Feb 16th 2007 by Jen

62. well #50 Anna was doing drugs long before Howard came into the scene. Anna does what Anna wants....if he hadnt been around to keep her a little in line she would have been dead long ago Im sure. But you cant force someone to get off their booze & drug filled ride to hell, all you can do is be by them and try to take care of them. Obviously something got through to her as she was using methadone to kick the drugs. So stop blaming everyone else... ultimately she was responsible for herself. And I believe all the stress of her crazy tragic life just got the best of her...she lost her will to fight anymore

Posted at 7:32PM on Feb 16th 2007 by chelsea

63. jen blah blah blah blah blah

Posted at 7:40PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

64. and*

Posted at 7:35PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

65. like i said in the previous post the dr who gave her the methadone wouldn't be under scrutiny by the CA medical board if what he did was a GOOD thing ok jen and mortified? get a clue!! please really get one.

Posted at 7:39PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

66. I'm a crazy nut huh? Your not very intelligent are you? You are obviously "hearing" what you want to "hear". First of all not only drug addicted pregnant women would take methadone. Methadone is a pain killer, used to treat chronic pain also. Second, who the hell is condoning drug use while pregnant. Learn how to read and think logically. What is being said is that methadone is the lesser of two evils, between other opiates such as herion, oxycontin...and...if she was on methadone when she became pregnant, it would have been more dangerous for her to get off of it then stay on.

Posted at 7:46PM on Feb 16th 2007 by Mortified

67. blah blah blah is a great response from someone who is fighting a losing battle.

Posted at 7:46PM on Feb 16th 2007 by Mortified

68. lol losing battle my ass...have you read your own posts?? you seem to be the one who is so angry get over it! i could care less...you're not harvey levin or anyone's lawyer so don't play one on tmz

Posted at 7:48PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

69. natalie are you 12?? If not you should stop acting like you are.

Posted at 7:48PM on Feb 16th 2007 by chelsea

70. and it also seems if this quack dr loses his license which he probably will that you will be the one losing your battle for drug addicts everywhere. HAHAHAHA!...because it seems as though if this happens...then i guess the whole board would have agreed with me and everyone else on this site who has said the same thing

Posted at 7:56PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

71. Natalie, come back down to earth hun. I'm sure that the reason he is being investigated by the medical board is for prescribing the methadone under an alias. It is not illegal or wrong to prescribe during pregnancy. I had my first child while on methadone. There were no side effects or withdrawals. If I had the option not be on methadone, I would have gotton off in a second. There was too much of a risk as I was too far along when I found out. What concerns me, which could be another reason he is being investigated is the size of the bottle he prescribed. She should have been very closely monitered, which it doesn't seem like she was. I wouldn't be surprised if he was found guilty of a serious crime here. There is no crime in giving someone methadone while pregnant though. There is nothing wrong with advising a patient to stay on it, in most cases, its the safest option. Thank you.

Posted at 7:52PM on Feb 16th 2007 by Liz Ameral

72. chelsea did you know anna nicole?? didn't think so!

Posted at 7:55PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

73. I was on drugs really bad even when i was pregnant and all my kids was healthy thank god i am gald i had people love no matter what i did even when i was not proud of some things i did but damn it she die let the poor woman live in pace now not everyone can say they are always good as god want us to be but who are you guys to judge that is god place not your and i donot care what any one say she need help and it sounds like noone care what happen to her or her son so don't judge poeple unless you really know what they are going thur

Posted at 7:59PM on Feb 16th 2007 by Ieren

74. i can act how i want to act..you're no boss of mine so please ok?

Posted at 7:57PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

75. yes liz that was my point...the bottle size....the fake name....and i think he should go to jail for that because what he did was wrong.

Posted at 7:54PM on Feb 16th 2007 by natalie

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