Who came up with the name "Leptopril" anyway? In my mind's ear it comes out with almost exactly the same cadence as the phrase "leper pill" which really is not the kind of mental association I would think likely to boost sales.

They wanted it to sound like Leptoprin, presumably, to maintain the ruse that it is a rip-off clone of their enormously expensive identical product. But how about the other name it sells under - Anorexa - now that's really appealing.

Dave

Well, these pills might very well "work" indirectly...

Like, if you are serious enough about losing weight to drop a nice chunk of change on some pills, you will probably also do other things as well, like eating less and exercising more. And then, when a little weight is lost, the foolish will credit the pill instead of these other variables. (Think: placebo...)

Which is a big part of the reason why these scam artists can get away with what they do. Doesn't make it right, tho.

Dave

Excellent piece, Dave. Our consumer watch-dog!

Sadly, the name Anorexa is understandable, taken from the purely mercenary and ruthless point of view these businesses surely have. Many people (especially young women) are so desperate to lose weight by any means, some of them set anorexia as their conscious goal.

I really wish I was joking about that.

It would be a tasteless joke, to be sure, but not nearly so disturbing as the reality of the situation.

Victor writes: "Who came up with the name "Leptopril" anyway?"

Reply: It most probably comes as a derivation of the known weight/appetite control hormone, endogenously produced in the human body, called "leptin." It received a great deal of press 3-4 years ago as the "answer to obesity."

It started with the discovery of a strain of leptin-deficient mice. These strains of mice (who either did not produce leptin or had defective leptin receptors) inherited a metabolic obesity syndrome. Unfortunately, in human research, leptin - which must be injected - has proven only modestly effective in weight control in human studies, must be injected and, in most obese patients, is already elevated.

Anyway, just my thoughts on the name of this "product line."

Cheers,

Ron

This was an interesting read, but not very surprising. My favorite of these BS "products" is "Propelyne" and all of the people in the commercial talk out of the side of their mouths.

Like they already had a stroke or something...

And they are the unhealthiest group of folks I've ever seen in one place. Kinda like a commercial for "The Crack-Addict Diet".

Good one Dave.

Yeah, I've never understood the sense of naming a bogus diet aid 'Propelyne', with the similarity to 'Propylene Glycol' (antifreeze) which is one of the most toxic substances most people keep around their houses.

Maybe drinking antifreeze explains their stroke-like symptoms. Or it could just be that they're trying to keep a straight face through their pitches.

Dave

Actually Dave, there's a food grade propelene glycol that is used as a cooling fluid. I bought five gallon pails of it for the fermenter cooling jackets in the brewery.

Wouldn't want to drink it though...

The great american RIP-OFF!! What happened to truth in advertising laws? Is there any accountability at all???? What are we paying "those people" in Washington for??? What about stores like Wal-Mart that sells this CRAP. If you sell this CRAP, are you not apart of this SCAM??? Do I sound mad? I just bought this stuff. We'll see how good Wal-Marts return policy is. I guess I need to check things out and ask for references before I buy.
Sincerley, Fat and Gullible!

What? Dr. Greg Cynaumon and his competitors aren't for real? Next you'll be telling me that Dr. Greg Cynaumon is just his stage name, that he's not a real doctor (I have wondered why it says PhD and not MD after his name) and that his product isn't worth the money he's asking.

And I had complete and total trust in all these folks!

From what I've read it appears that they are PhDs and not medical doctors, and in some cases their PhDs are of questionable legitimacy as well, likely from diploma mills. I don't know Cynaumon;'s story beyond the fact that he's not an MD, but the guy from Leptoprin apparently worked briefly as a psychologist, which doesn't require a medical degree or even a PhD.

And Rick, the FTC is doing what it can by shutting these operations down when it identifies them. IMO their enforcement ability is way too limited and Congress ought to do more than just hold hearings as they did in 03, after which there was much wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth, but little concrete done.

Dave

Okay, I read these posts, and I have to admit, I don't think anyone that has posted has tried the pill. I am 28, 5'7", and was 149 lbs, I want to get back to the 125 i was two years ago. I wasn't sure if it would work for me, because I drink a lot of caffeine products each day, but I honestly have absolutely NO desire to eat at all since I started taking Leptopril. I don't care if it is a generic, or the real deal, it works. So please, let me know if you are speaking from experience, as in taking it yourself, or a friend or relative, or what, but I know my mother just bought it too because she noticed my weight loss. If I know I am going to one of my favorite restaurants, I don't take the pills, because I want to want those meals. So it does work. At least it is working for me, and I promise you, I am not exercising any more than I used too, probably less actually, just eatting less, because i am not hungary. By the way, I don't work for any of those companies. The part that really made me mad about your article, is that I paid 34.95 at Walgreens, and it was on sale from 44.95. Hmmm, I did get screwed there didn't I?

this is not specifically about leptoprin but about the pill ads you get in your email. how is it being sold without actually physically visiting a doctor. is it legal or what?

Well, I hope it works, because I just bought the product today. I am glad to hear that sombody else is using it and losing weight. I am 5'10 200 lb. and would like to lose about 50 pounds. I usually dont take pills for anything, but I have to admit, the advertisment looks appealing. I guess I'll give it a shot and hope it works.

I am an R.N. and am happy to see you are protecting the people from the drug scammers out there!

hilarious, and right on!!!

Great piece,although I had it figured out and was looking for a Generix connection when I found this blog which I have favoritized.I would like to shoot down that "Kabam" add with its chemical color change hokus pokus.And the furniture polish,thats another one. Debunking rules!!! Regards,JR

This was clearly a well thought out scam. I knew this from the moment I saw the first commercial. It was a good idea though. (for the scammers)

I also felt there would be another price at a later date to seal the deal.

Ken

Durnit! You just made me realize I've wasted all that money I spent for Lepto-whatever.

Not to mention the year's supply of mandrake root...

[grin]

No, no, you have to eat the mandrake root and put the diet pills under your pillow!

It would have the same effect, as would throwing them both away.

Here's a thought. Klein-Becker can put out yet another rename of their product: Kleptoprin. The price is even lower: you steal it.

Guaranteed weight-loss, too, since it comes with a built-in exercise program: running from the floor bull....

>>Okay, I read these posts, and I have to admit, I don't think anyone that has posted has tried the pill. I am 28, 5'7", and was 149 lbs, I want to get back to the 125 i was two years ago.<<

You do realize that you're by no definition severely overweight, right? You barely qualify as overweight at all. You ought to be able to lose the weight you're talking about with almost any reasonable diet plan that involves knocking your consumption down by just a few calories.

>> but I honestly have absolutely NO desire to eat at all since I started taking Leptopril. I don't care if it is a generic, or the real deal, it works.<<

Since the ingredients have no appetite suppressing qualities whatsoever, the effects which you are getting are almost certainly entirely psychological.

>> So please, let me know if you are speaking from experience, as in taking it yourself, or a friend or relative, or what, but I know my mother just bought it too because she noticed my weight loss.<<

We know it because there's something called science which tells us that the ingredients have no known value in suppressing appetite or causing weight loss.

>>this is not specifically about leptoprin but about the pill ads you get in your email. how is it being sold without actually physically visiting a doctor. is it legal or what?<<

Legally it's considered a 'dietary supplement', like a vitamin, so it can be sold over the counter with virtually no oversight.

>>Well, I hope it works, because I just bought the product today. I am glad to hear that sombody else is using it and losing weight. I am 5'10 200 lb. and would like to lose about 50 pounds. I usually dont take pills for anything, but I have to admit, the advertisment looks appealing. I guess I'll give it a shot and hope it works.<<

It doesn't. Just cut your calory intake and avoid sugars and you'll lose the weight if you're patient enough to give it 6-8 months.

Somehow I never expected this article to lead to people actually buying and using this crap.

Dave

>>Okay, I read these posts, and I have to admit, I don't think anyone that has posted has tried the pill. I am 28, 5'7", and was 149 lbs, I want to get back to the 125 i was two years ago.<<

You do realize that you're by no definition severely overweight, right? You barely qualify as overweight at all. You ought to be able to lose the weight you're talking about with almost any reasonable diet plan that involves knocking your consumption down by just a few calories.

>> but I honestly have absolutely NO desire to eat at all since I started taking Leptopril. I don't care if it is a generic, or the real deal, it works.<<

Since the ingredients have no appetite suppressing qualities whatsoever, the effects which you are getting are almost certainly entirely psychological.

>> So please, let me know if you are speaking from experience, as in taking it yourself, or a friend or relative, or what, but I know my mother just bought it too because she noticed my weight loss.<<

We know it because there's something called science which tells us that the ingredients have no known value in suppressing appetite or causing weight loss.

>>this is not specifically about leptoprin but about the pill ads you get in your email. how is it being sold without actually physically visiting a doctor. is it legal or what?<<

Legally it's considered a 'dietary supplement', like a vitamin, so it can be sold over the counter with virtually no oversight.

>>Well, I hope it works, because I just bought the product today. I am glad to hear that sombody else is using it and losing weight. I am 5'10 200 lb. and would like to lose about 50 pounds. I usually dont take pills for anything, but I have to admit, the advertisment looks appealing. I guess I'll give it a shot and hope it works.<<

It doesn't. Just cut your calory intake and avoid sugars and you'll lose the weight if you're patient enough to give it 6-8 months.

Somehow I never expected this article to lead to people actually buying and using this crap.

Dave

I thank you for taking the time to write such a piece.
There are many of us buying worthless pills and 'kits' to help find out what makes us fat. I myself have a upstairs closet of half used bottles that made me sick or didn't work. There are jacka$$e$ selling crazy pills on Ebay for goodness sake.
They make money because we want to hear we have the potential to be desirable and beautiful. Society has made us desperate to be accepted; you can see that in what "works4me on August 25, 2005" wrote.
(It is 3:39am CST and I have seen 3 different commercials for diet pills)

Thank you!!!

Thanks for this article.. I was totally excited about the commercial offering the pills for 30.00, and was planning to order them. Now I think I will just go see my doctor instead.
Thanks Again!

lol .. I have seen more knowledge in a pre school class from Alabama ...

can you name the lady who advertise leptoprin,,, blond hair blue eyes dressed in a dark suit.

thank you

Sure, Donald -- it's CONnie...

CONnie ok thank you, ok if youll bear with me are there any more commerical that she is in.... or where could i find more pictures of her .....

thank you in advance....

WAIT! HOLD UP!??! They're making LEPER PILLS NOW?

Quick. Find me the number or forward me on to CONnie, STAT.

*arm falls off*

lololol

How can anyone be tricked by these sort of things? Isn't it quite obvious these commercials target white trailer trash who've never been to a real doctor in years. I swear to god, it enrages me to think that someone could be so ignorant not to see a cheaply made commercial with some cracked out looking woman trying to look seriuos.

Oh, "Generix Labs" thanks you guys, for looking out for the little guy, you know, the consumer. "Generix" Who named this farse of a company? A 12 year old in an AOL chatroom? Jesus christ, there's an "x" people! If you're going to have something just eating away the pounds, it should atleast be from a buisness that can spell. There's nothing Generic about it. I do not doubt this marketing idea was plotted since before the "leptoprin" scam was unleashed.

Use your head people, if you're interested in products on TV, deny your interest as soon as the fast paced snotty male voice at the end goes "call 1-800-324-2343".

Granted, obesity brings with it a certain mindless desperation to 'try anything', but anyone who would buy anything advertised on TV, radio, etc., whether it's "guaranteed" to fix your weight, erectile capabilities, hair loss, or any other problem, is too stupid to live. The question is, should they be protected from their own brainlessness by prosecuting fraudulent advertisers, or be allowed to fork over their money to these moral lepers? While we're at it, why are the TV/radio/papers allowed to run these ads and not be held at least marginally, partially responsible for fraud as well? Seems to me, if you help someone rip people off, that makes you an accomplice, no?

Notice that Donald entirely missed the emphasis in my reply. He accepted "CONnie" as the woman's name without pausing for a breath.

Maybe I should have said her name was Scamdra...

You're right nancy, this is the one time Hitler's tactic of extermination sounds good. Survival of the fittist I presume. If you're trailer trash enough to call a 1-800 number for your dietary needs, you should rot to death along side your wasted government checks.

I find it funnier that the conniving jerks decided to use the Fox News channel as their main target audience. Who better to waste their money by manipulation than the avarage conservetive news zombie.

It doesn't matter which party they vote for; most likely they don't, because they're too stupid & lazy to do so. Can't tear themselves away from MTV long enough to go do their civic duty, let alone use their brains to figure out who they support on the issues ("Issues? What issues?"). In any case, extermination for the mentally lazy sounds fine to me.

What about the physically lazy, who look to pills to do what putting down the cake, and going for a walk could do, without risk of taking low-grade speed.

Nature takes care of all: pills don't work - unless they do, and give the user a heart attack - so what pills don't do, plaque buildup in the arteries does. It's just a slower process. Suicide by overeating. Problem is, most of these people reproduce themselves.

It's TV's fault! That, and low rent. Hah.

Why make something of your life, when you got so much to do right infront of your TV set. Jerry Springer, Maury, Dr. Phil, the Lifetime channel, all those things that say, "You're fat, and that's ok, so just sit back, and we'll pump you full of those feelings called acceptance. No, no, don't get up off that couch, stay fat, leech off your husband or government, and when it comes down to that evil thing called logic and dignity, let Dr. Phil be your hero."

"Oh, and make sure you watch all the commercials for cash settlements and diet schemes. That car that hit your car slipped a disk in your spine, you can't even get on your feet, nevermind you wouldn't get on them if you had the skeletal integrity of Jesus himself. So just sit back, call 1-800 lawyers and diet pills, your ignorance is a welcome sign of 'true character' "

"the skeletal integrity of Jesus himself"

No, Sparky, that's a different marketing program...

[grin]

Even if these pills deon't work, they are a pretty good vitamin supplement. For example, they contain 20 mg of Niacin. Niacin is a vitamin that has recently been shown to raise good cholesterol levels (HDL). These pills also contain a very high amount of caffeine which acts as the 'acute metabolic regulator' they advertise. So, even if there are no appetite suppressing qualities, the pills do raise your energy level which can lead to weight loss and they raise HDL levels.

Great post! I'd been wanting to write a blog entry like this for a while and just never got around to it.

Here's MY input on the subject...I'm 33, 5'6" and the scales are telling me that I have hit the 190 pound mark. I have NEVER weighed this much so I "eenied meenied miney moe'd" the diet aisle and chose Leptopril. I took my first 2 pills yesterday like I was supposed to do before I ate lunch. There HAS to be SOMETHING in the pills because all afternoon at work, I had extra energy and I eventually felt like CRAP. (dizzy-ish, even go as far as clammy...and I couldnt even THINK of eating again). And today, I took another 2 pills and here I am again...feeling the same way.
My life is pretty sucky right now and when I dont have anything else to do anymore, I seem to spend the time eating (God help me) and if Leptopril can and will stop me from WANTING to eat just to eat...I'm all for it.

Leptopril contains vitamins and some marginal stimulants. They're as likely to increase appetite as not. Your reaction might be to what's in the pills, but it won't result in weight loss for any medical or chemical reason. In fact, the reaction might be entirely mental, but then a change in attitude is a lot more likely to cause weight loss than the contents of Leptopril are.

Dave

Lisa, if that's the physical reaction you're getting from these things, I really, Really, REALLY wouldn't take any more of them. I know, you're desperate. Trust me, if you've GOT to have some chemical help, at least go see your doctor & get the legit stuff. Please? For you?

Good point, Nancy. That could very well be a sensitivity or allergic reaction to one of the ingredients, and that could be dangerous. Leptopril DOES have ingredients. They may not be useful for weightloss, but they could certainly be dangerous for some.

Dave

Beautifully presented Dave. An excellent job of thoughtful and a very thorough run at really unkind behavior.

Hopefully these folks will have to account fully - one day.

Bob

Does anyone remember AYDS, the candy appetite suppressant that was all the rage at the end of the 70's into the 80's? Now there's a sweet confection that went right down the tubes. Chew an AYDS and get skinny, catch AIDS and die. And the world keeps spinning...

The National Geographic channel has been playing their ads (Leptoprin and Leptopril) like 100 times a day, it's almost the National Leptoprin channel.

How could people be so stupid and see the scam? How could a channel striving for respect stoop to such a level and to make money from vultures preying on the insecurities of overweight and obese people?

The FDA should have a more active role and prevent such flagrant scams.

Just a few thoughts on your blogs...

I was surfing the net for my research paper and found your site...I was really impressed by your blog Dave...thought WOW...he really is honest and trying to get the word out on these scams which unfortunately are everywhere you go...HOWEVER...after reading the responses...I was mortified and sickened by the "ignorance"..of all "fat people are stupid and lazy" ...It kind of reminds me of ohhhh I don't know...White power mentality or maybe just uneducated??? Talk about the epitome of "white trash"...Oh well...I guess opinions are kind of like a**holes...everyone has one..
I will now step down off my box..with one last comment...Dave...if you want surfers to take your blogs seriously.. you might want to find yourself in better (more intelligent) company....
Just one skinny persons opinion.....

You have a point, OP, but on the other hand there are some very good and well thought out responses as well. When you put something out on the net, you take your chances on the kinds of responses you get. On a very active site like this, all sorts of people will see the posting and that means that the audience includes some flakes and idiots. Plus, certain topics - like this one - will draw their attention and encourage them to comment whether you want them to or not. My thinking is that the people who can be helped will take the comments for what they're worth and pay attention to the main message. Those who can't do that probably wouldn't get much from it anyway.

Dave

I just found this site (after buying Leptopril at target today)

I've recently lost 40 pounds myself using no diet pills but now was hoping the 'caffeine kick' these type of pills usually provide will help with the rest of the weight I need to lose. To me, they looked as good as any other pills on the shelf so that's what I grabbed. Even though I have bought the product, I thought the commercial was the most stupid I have seen yet.

And to be honest, I thought they were more marketing to 'skinny' people rather than overweight. With the 'if you need to lose 5 pounds this is not for you' trick, I am sure they had a million 5 or 10 pounds overweight people calling like crazy thinking 'well, then I must have it and my 5-10 will melt away!'.. LOL.. just my personal views on what I thought the commercial meant. All that reverse thinking ... "it's not for you"...makes them think "oh yes it is"... I am sure they had more skinny people ordering this product more than any other diet pill with that short sentence. It was the skinny people I was feeling bad for... wondering how many fell for that line. ;)

For me, I do believe they will help, they have green tea and caffeine in them and I believe that itself will help people curb an appetite. I am not expecting miracles and the commercial did not phase me at all with any false hope. (sorry, guess im not such a fat 'dummy')

After all, I do not drink coffee myself, but I see people buzzing around on a coffee kick all day skipping meals. And a $4 a day coffee habit is a pretty expensive 'diet,' isn't it? About the same as expensive as the 'cigarette diet' ..(which i do not do either) I see skinny people sucking on cigarettes to stay thin so they don't eat. (yes, i personally know people who say they don't want to quit smoking for fear of eating to much and gaining weight) Guess we are all suckers, just in different ways ... skinny or fat ... diet pills, miracle lotions, addictions to smoking, coffee addicts, magazines telling us to do this and look like that ... it's no wonder we all are buying into something or another. And believe me, it's not just us fat people falling for all this, (botox ring a bell? skinny models putting poison in their face) I wonder if everyone could honestly admit to 'falling' for one of the gimmicks out there. I will be the first to say I have... and for the person who say's it must be trailer trash falling for this... I agree with OP on her thoughts about some of the posts here... like because we fall for something we are labeled... label everyone before you just label fat people. And sparky, for your white trash theory, i can practically guarantee you make less $ a year than I do... so try keeping your judgements to yourself..if you can please. To each their own I say, your an adult, if you want those diet pills, buy them, if you want some botox, get it, got a goal to get that tummy tuck or get that penis enlarged... THUMBS UP to you!

"And sparky, for your white trash theory, i can practically guarantee you make less $ a year than I do"

You sir, are what we call a Douche Bag, your crackpot theories about making money, do not mean anything to someone with self control (dieting like a decent self respecting person). Here's a way to get skinny, save your money for food for something like a hobby, or a relationship, rather than filling your fat bellies with the loving embrace of a 8 inch stomach dialation.

"Their TV ad is fantastic, with an overly intense and somewhat scary lady suggesting that you're just too poor and stupid not to be fat if you don't fork over hundreds of dollars for their product."


This comment is hard to decipher. If you don't buy their pill, you are too stupid to be someone who isn't fat. If you don't buy their pill, you'd be a fool not to be fat person? So, if I don't buy the pill, I should be fat, and if I don't become fat after not buying their product, I'm a fool? Meaning that if don't buy their pill, I should make an effort to be fat or something? If you remove "not to be fat" from the conditional statement, it makes sense, because then you'd be saying if you don't buy their product then you're just too poor and stupid. Or maybe I'm horrible at language, and it's my fault for not understanding. Please elaborate.

I don't know what the big deal is... 2 people I know used it and gained energy and believe they're losing weight. That's how I heard about it. Since it's just a vitamin with no potentially bad effects, there is only weight loss that can be achieved. I ordered it and it comes with a 30 day money back guarantee. I hope it works and it will be money well spent. If it doesn't, what's the big deal? I'll send it back. I've struggled with weight my whole life but I've cut calories and continue to exercise very regularly. I've lost about 35-38 pounds to date (over many years of hard work). I'm almost 5'6'' and around 145-148 now. I would love to weigh 135! That is my goal! Here's hoping Leptopril will work....

If you add a 'c' to the beginning of those names, you get 'Cleptoprin' and 'Cleptopril'... how ironic. Clepto Aspirin.

okay so i tried this pill...stupid i know. but im kind of nervous because im really sick now (sore throat tight chest ear irritation) and im nervous that this thing caused it. lesson learned this stuff doesnt work

I've tried these pills both the liptoprin and liptopril and so far they have worked, I've lost 17lbs in 3 months. I used the expensive ones the first month and then switched over to the liptopril and so far so good.

Hahah I'm still laughing after reading the responses. I have to say I thought the scam was outragoeous, and my guess was that it was a blatent ripoff that depended on the same things that rebates depend on. and that's a lot of people not seeking a refund.

:)

Dear Dave,
I am writing a paper, and I would like to know how you aquired the information you did and what your profession is. Thank you so so so so much, if you could just e-mail me that would be great. its liz2245 at yahoo
Thanks a million,
Liz

I was actually looking into claims of weight loss from many different companies and I recently started looking into Leptopril (but knew nothing about its origin). If you, or anyone you know has ever been on a diet, they have surely tried the countless crap bomarding the airwaves and internet. I have not heard of any that actually do what they claim...and you are certainly right by suggesting that exercise and lower caloric intake is the way to go. Save your money...buy better food, fresh, unprepared food... and stay away from all the dieter's traps. Too much marketing or lies... Great advice Dave and great article. Kudos!

You know it is sad, in this day and age, that people are so money hungry, they will put anything on the market. Fake diet pills are the worse. There are so many people out in the world that are overweight, myself included, that people should know by now, there is no pill that can make you lose weight. By maintaining a healthy diet and exercise is the only way you can lose weight. So people just beware there are so many of these organizations trying to con you out of your money. As they always say, if it seems to good to be true, then usually it is.

Looking up the owners of the domains leptoprin.com and leptopril.com, it turns out they are both owned by, ta da, the same company, Western Holdings LLC. So there's just one more link to show you the company offering the expensive product and the "half-priced" value product are indeed the same. It's like offering a brick for $20, then later offering it for $10, saying "look... it's half priced!"

Its sad to see the comments from people who think this crap is helping them... but I guess that's the same thing that keeps people rubbing crystals on their foreheads, wearing copper bracelets, and putting magnets in their shoes.

Sure, the scumbags who sell this stuff are immoral, but so are the tv channels that run the ads, take the money and look the other way.

Used to be illegal to run ads like this, until Reagan deregulated TV.

As someone who's been thru the mill in my time, including having my jaws wired, Fen-Phen, & all the rest, I can assure every single person on earth that there is NO EASY, QUICK FIX. NONE. NADA. NONEXISTANT. So don't waste your money, your health, or your time on the scum who live off the despair of people like me (and you) who are overweight or just think they are. This includes so-called 'legit' stuff like Weight Watchers, or any of the other diet companies.

Weight loss for the vast majority of the population depends on calories in, energy expended. Period. You want to lose weight, you've got to increase your physical activity & at the least ensure that the nature of the calories you're intaking is quality stuff - which doesn't include pastas or breads. Limited red meat, mostly fish or poultry (NOT fried), lots of leafy green veggies, limited starchy veggies, and fruit in moderation, will get you there. All the quack junk pimped by the diet industry and the vultures that feed off it doesn't a lick more than a cup of coffee or six will, because in the final analysis, that's all it is: additives & common drugs.

There are a few whose physical systems don't respond except to extreme restricted calories, etc. For them there is bypass surgery, but even then, it should only be done as a LAST resort, and because one is MORBIDLY obese, i.e. you've tried everything else, you still weigh 400 lbs, & you're going to die otherwise. It is NOT an avenue for the woman looking to lose 30 lbs for her school reunion, or the guy looking to lose his love handles, and a reputable doctor won't even look at anyone who isn't seriously, dangerously overweight. And even these patients have to push their activity envelope, without drugs to help. In the final analysis, it still comes down to decreased input, increased output.

Lo, dear - PLEASE get thee to a clinic or doctor. You need real, medical help. It's possible you've had an allergic reaction, it's possible you've had a cross-reaction with other meds you might be taking, even over-the-counter stuff.

Take my word for it. I'm a "professional" & lifelong dieter (all but the first 3 years of my life), so I know firsthand this crap doesn't work. Save your money, and possibly your life.

And no: fat people are no more stupid as a group than are redheads or Methodists or any other group. In fact, an awful lot of them tend to be very brainy - just overabused by others luckier in the physical perfection sweeps.

FYI, for those who "feel" something when they take Leptoprin (or Leptopril), there is a good reason for this. The formula contains what is known as an "ECA Stack," which is a combination of Caffeine, Aspirin, and potentially deadly Ephedrine (at least it used to have it in there--after reading about the crooks from this company, they probably changed the label but it's STILL IN THERE).

The Ephedrine/Caffeine combo gives the user extra energy (that ultra-"hopped up" feeling), while the Aspirin thins out the blood and upsets the stomach, which makes the user feel not as hungry (and a little sick).

ECA Stacks are DANGEROUS and this company is NOT HONEST in their dealings. They put people's health on the line to LINE THEIR OWN POCKETS. Please, please discontinue use of these products and see a doctor...you could DIE or get VERY, VERY SICK by using them.

I just bought a bottle of leptopril and spent $33.95 for 95 capsules at Walmart. I hope it works. I weigh 177lbs and would like to loose 50lbs. I don't eat much in the first place and I never go back for seconds and always drain fat from hamburger meat and rinse with water when making tacos. And I always cut the fat off chicken before cooking it. My weight just stays the same. So I thought I need some extra help. If I could get the weight off it would stay there. So I'm hoping the pills work. So I am giving it a month trial period to see if it works. Yes I know the water weight comes off first which is usually around 5lbs. So I have taken that under consideration. I want to feel better about myself. I have 5 kids and have only lost 10lbs after all that. Anyway I'm giving these pills a try.

Has anyone gone to the www.leptoprilsupport.com site and used the diet plan that is recommended for users of Leptopril? This looks to me like the best thing than is going for Leptopril. At least it has been helpful to me to know just how to get a food in-take program set in motion for me whether or not I choose to use Leptopril. After answering a few questions, a diet program was designed for me to loose weight by reducing my calorie intake on a day to day basis. The plan also includes a shopping list and a substitute foods list. This site uses a calorie controling program that regards your health issues as well. Calorie counting has worked for me in the past, and this support site might be helpful for others who want to control their calorie intake to loose weight. The support site, which has free access, also provides a chat system for those who need to talk with others who are actually using the Leptopril "program" designed by the manufacturer.


I hope some one will evaluate the support site and discuss whether there is a problem with the dietary advice of the manufacturer of Leptopril.

I WAS TRYING TO RESEARCH THIS PRODUCT, AND FOUND YOUR PEICE. I COULDN'T SEEM TO FIND THE INGREDIENTS, HOWEVER. I WOULDN'T CONSIDER PURCHASING ANYTHING WITHOUT KNOWING THE INGREDIENTS. I DID, HOWEVER FIND A PRODUCT CALLED "LIPOVARIN" AND THE FULL LIST OF INGREDIENTS IS OFFERED. THEY INCLUDE; METABROMINE, THEOBROMINE, CITRUS AURANIUM,10% TOTAL AMINES, GREEN TEA LEAF EXTRACT,30% TEA PHENOLS,20% TEA CATECHINS, SEROTAIN, 5HTP, CAFFEINE, GLUCURONOLACTONE, TAURINE, L-CARNITINE, LTARTATE, 7-KETO9dehydroepiandosterone, CORAL CALCIUM.
I SUSPECT THAT THIS IS PRETTY MUCH THE SAME THING.
WHAT DO YOU SAY, DAVE?

I believe that Caffeine an Taurine are the key active ingredients they have in common.

Dave

Although I do not live in a trailer, nor draw a government check, I was considering purchasing this product until now. I have an amazon.com gift certificate and I thought what the heck, I'll spend it on something I wouldn't take a chance on with my real money. But after reading all this I think I'll just take my mother's advice and go on a nice healthy no bread, no sugar, no fried foods diet. Thanks

You could use the Amazon money forr a good 'zone' diet book, or even better, for a pocket calory counter book - i think they even have little electronic ones.

Dave

wow!! that was really educational!! is there any diet pill that is legit?? i have used leptopril!! i buy in easily to anything though!! i'm not over weight but i do model so i have this mental thing in my head that i have to lose weight! im 5'3" 125 lbs!! but leptopril really just makes my hyper and shake a lot!

Well, here goes. I read this entire thread and am amazed. First off, Dave, this was a great piece and you deserve a pat on the back for touching at least one person's life. I've tried all the diets over the years: pills, cabbage soup, Cambridge, Optifast, etc. I've gained and lost weight so often that my body just shut down 10 years ago and off I went onto steroids. Anyone who has experienced steroids knows what I'm talking about. You get puffy, your appetite is so ravenous that you think of nothing but food. Then there's the 'roid rage.

When all was said and done I grew to quite a large size and knew that I couldn't continue. I took the risk, against the advice of many doctors. I researched, went to meetings and finally found a surgeon who knew that I'd go to Mexico to have the surgery if need be. Fifteen months ago I had the gastric bypass. In that time I've lost 220 pounds and continue to lose. I exercise every day and live every waking moment to its fullest. I've lost 22 inches on my waist alone and dropped 5 clothing sizes. I'm no longer diabetic. Gastric bypass isn't for everyone and it is a difficult process.

I'm not sorry I did it and am grateful every day to the doctors and nurses who were at my side every step of the way. I had special circumstances which made my surgery more risky than most but we did it. And here's the corker, as I was being prepped in the operating room, I asked if every member of the team was a person faith. I knew as I slipped into euphoria that I was in the care of a special bunch of people who had a lot of faith. That's one thing that was important during the whole process for me. I had to know that the people I was working with had faith in a Higher Power. That morning I gave my life over to that Higher Power and the capable hands of the team. Every day since then has been an extra day of life for me and I don't forget it. I didn't mean to get all emotional about this, so forgive me. I don't usually share the journey I've taken in this way and felt I had a moral obligation to do so because of all the feedback from people about diet pills.

Let me tell you....everyone is so into letting the society tell them they are not good enough. im not one to talk though, even though i know very well what this country is about i still get takin in....money, money and wait MONEY...EVERYONE WANTS THE EASY WAY OUT...im not fat, i have a little chub on my stomach but nothing to get it stapled for...but i figured what the hell, lets give this lepto shit a try. I took it for two days....only two and thats all i ever will, it made me irretable, i shaked and let me tell you....the only thing that made me feel better was when i ate. thats not a magic pill thats a screwed up way to make people think that its there fault the product isnt working. the reason i write this is becuase this isnt the first place i went to....after taking the pills i researched the side effects and everyone was the same....its supposed to boost energy.....hell it does, its like drinking 20 cups of coffee and not eating for a week. i didnt sleep and didnt want to eat....NOT BECUASE THE PILLS WERE WORKING BUT BECAUSE I FELT LIKE SHIT. i dont care who you are, if you think this shit works you need to see a doctor, not for your body but for your head....im willing to be happy with who i am without destroying my body, think it through.....in this whole forum, there are only enough people to count one hand that tells you it works, and 70 others that tell you its a scam....i took it, i felt like shit and i ate to make myself feel better....psh isnt america awsome......money, its everything...if you dont have it....we dont want you....if your fat...we dont want you, live you own life and be happy with who you are, not because other people tell you, but because you know your beautiful and no one can tell you different....Chimp

Well, it seems that the profile of the average overweight person is a white woman living in a rundown trailer without enough gumption to turn off the TV and whose longest daily walk is to the refrigerator. This hapless, ignorant female is a conservative, Republican, news junkie who gets her fix by watching FOX News all day. How SAD!!!
How SAD that in our educated world there are those so uneducated, or ignorant, that they would write such statements about others whom they know nothing about.
Obese people are the most discriminated against people in our country.
Case in point, I went to a very nice restaurant recently with a fellow teacher who is about 280 pounds. The thin, attractive, well dressed, 'ladies' actually whispered and pointed! My fellow teacher acted as though she didn't notice. Six years ago things were different for her. She was an active, healthy 40 year old woman. Then after her oldest child's graduation, her family was involved in a car accident that caused her a back injury and shattered her ankle. Since then exercise has been painful and exhausting. Medication to help her cope has caused lots of weight gain. Yet, despite the difficulties she has suffered since the accident, she hasn't lost her love for others. Her kindness and understanding crosses over all differences. Race, age, size, religion, political affiliation, sexual preference, makes no difference to her. She doesn't live in a trailer, she isn't White Trash, and she would never think of writing such cruel statements about others.
Those of you who equated obesity with laziness are only perpetrating the discrimination and social isolation inflicted on the obese -- inflicted on her. Ever wonder why the obese are so desperate that they will try anything, even "miracle diet pills"?

I don't believe any of us are equating obesity with laziness. We're characterizing the choice to go for a diet pill over a more realistic weight loss method as either laziness or foolishness.

Dave

Cheryl, wow

No one in here is saying that every large person is white trash, those who rather try everything BUT a little self control are the ones talked down upon, not that were any better but to run to the store and get a pill that may or may not work is crazy, go on a diet, run, lift weights....there is much more gained from doing it your self then trying to have someones dumb never working invention do it for you. I'm sorry if anything i said made it so you would write that, but obviously you just scrolled down to the last couple comments, alot of nice things were also said, and only the jackasses wer talking about white trash

Chimp

First for #79 Cheryl: "Obese people are the most discriminated against people in our country."

Not true anymore, that would be smokers. I am no longer a smoker but I am amazed at how society looks upon them. Maybe smokers need to take up drinking so they can be drunks. Oh excuse me, that would be alcoholics, forgot my PC'ness for a moment. Guess smokers need an ism or ity to make it a disease too. (sorry, wrong blog)

I've been fat, overweight, obese or whatever you want to call it. I was in an accident and broke my back (L4/L5 & ruptured the disk between them) broke my right leg and ankle with dislocation. It took two years of rehab to walk again. In that time I gained 154#. I didn't have a spare tire, I had a complete set.

I'm almost back to my normal weight now, I have 10 to go. After trying all the easy ways (pills and fad diets) I learned the only real way to loose it was healthy diet and lots of exercise.

I worked, sweat, cried and starved to get the weight off. I have constant severe pain in my back, leg and ankle but with what I've learned loosing it, I will never gain it back.

I hope I haven't offended anyone here. After reading this entire blog I would like to say "Good Job" Dave and if you're concerned about your weight try the following.

Turn off the TV/Computer
Close your mouth & Put down the food
Get dressed
Get a lot of exercise
Eat small healthy portions (three a day or less)
Drink lots of water

We'll all feel better if you do.

Back on Nov. 22 I said I would try leptopril. Well I did. I started out with the 2 pills it said to start out with. I got so sick it felt like I had the stomach flu. So I quit taking it for a little while. So I tryed it again this time starting out with 1 pill. I still felt like was going to get sick. I got dizzy and just didn't feel good. I am a very healthy person and don't take any other medicines except for tylenol was in a while. I still would like to loose 50lbs. Just not that way. Every one Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Wow. I was looking for information for my mother-in-law about this drug, and I hope I can talk her out of getting it. She is elderly, very obese, and diabetic. She is not active in any way due to lameness in her legs. She too, like others, is looking to find that easy fix.

I am appalled however, at some of the stereotyping that is going on in these posts. It is unbelievable how people view others. I watch those commercials, and yes, I see the scams in them. But some people are so upset with the way they feel about themselves, usually because of how others view them, that they attach themselves to every word spoken, and only see the shining light the ads are trying to convey. But that doesn't make them lazy. It doesn't make them trailer trash. It makes them hope, and it is sad that companies feed on that hope.

I am 296 pounds. I have Crohn's Disease, and when I was first diagnosed, I had to take 140 mg. of prednisone, weaning off of it in a year and a half. I gained over 90 pounds thanks to this drug. Now, being 37 with a rambunctious 2 yr. old, and an energetic 7 yr. old and weighing as much as I do, I am not lazy. You will see me running with my kids at the park. You will see me exercising and dancing as much as I can when time allows. I very rarely sit down. And, there are days when if I eat 1200 calories, I am lucky. I don't eat much, both because of my disease, and because I am not hungry. I am also intelligent. And pretty. And, even though there are those people who point and stare if I should actually "eat" what I order in a restaraunt, I am ok with it, because in my heart, I know I am not the dim-witted, stupid, lazy, no-good piece of trailer trash that some of you commented that most of us fat people are. Most of the fat people out there are all of the things I am and more, and the only reason that most of them call those places is because those places gives us hope, and a way to dream of something that may not be attainable any other way. Granted, some could use more exercise, or less food, but usually there is some deeper issue than calories in the obese person. Some of us aren't fat because we like it...we are fat because of circumstances, and stereotypes like those written are more hurtful to the population as a whole than the companies selling crap like Leptopril. And I don't usually comment on the way others make "fat jokes" or talk about that fat chick at McDonald's, but I just had to say my say.

Thanks Dave for your insights, however. I will most definitly try to get her to talk to her doctor instead of trying something lame like this. Maybe someone could suggest another herbal remedy instead, that doesn't have all the extra junk in it?

Hey Dave, I read your article and even though I find your sarcasm very ammusing and witty, I don't see the point. Is it to bash the manufacturers of the pill, warn consumers, or just write? In fact I bought these pills four days ago and they've actually given me alot of energy and have really suppressed my cravings. You might be thinking, yea right, it's just mental, it isn't actually before I was much more decided to lose weight but my cravings were uncontrollable, which is not the case since I started taking the pills. So tell me, if a pill suppresses cravings and gives so much energy isn't it effective in some way at least? and on what research or source do you base your statements in your article? ( really, which ones? jw) and as for the weight loss, to be honest I have not weighed my self yet, but when I do I'll post the results.

Doesn't coke supress appetite and increase energy?

I'm just sayin...

Research, Antonio? Follow the links to the FTC and congressional investigations. The pills have no value except the placebo effect which you're enjoying.

But hey, if they work for you, that's great. Just so long as you understand that they actually have essentially the same ingredients as Tums.

Keep us updated on your weight loss and what you did as far as excercise and diet in addition to the pills.

Dave

The whole "discounted price" aspect of this scheme reminds me of the tactic used in many infomercials. When a product first comes out they market it to people still up at 4 am, and some will pay top dollar for whatever it is (I've done this with exercise tapes on more than one occasion). Then time goes by and the product is actually "available in stores." Next thing you know, they're selling the item for 3 bucks in a discount outlet.

Smokers do get a lot of dirty looks, but I still think overweight folks get the most contempt--even from other overweight people, paradoxically enough. Your "addiction" is all too obvious for all to see. An alcoholic can be nice and svelte, as can a crack addict or a smoker. But overeating can be an addiction every bit as powerful--and unlike drugs, you can't just stop eating altogether.

I know more and more people who are opting for the bypass surgery route. It sounds very drastic and scary, and the mortality rate is higher than for most other kinds of procedures. But yes, people are desperate, and most Americans want a quick fix for everything--not just losing weight. As you said, Dave, you can't fool mother nature--eating right and exercising is a slow and arduous way to lose weight, but it usually works in the long run. But it's still damn tough, especially as one gets older. Keeping the weight off can be even harder to do.

However, there are some meds that can make people blow up like a balloon, and if someone is debilitated by an injury it can make it virtually impossible to exercise. Life can indeed be harsh and cruel. Some of the comments on this thread surely can attest to that.

Great piece!

I just got a box today at Walmart.........guess I'll be returning it tommrow. I wanna lose maybe 50 lbs. but I have 3 kids and can not take the chance of getting sick. I did take Meridia (Dr. prscribed) last year, I DID lose 30 lbs. but the cost is exuberant, so I quit taking it and gain the weight back. I think I may just suck it up and ask for a new script. Good luck to those trying to lose, it is a hard battle, but we can do it.

Anyone who would pay $150+ dollars for these "miracle" pills is stupid. Now the smarts. You can now get the generic equivalent. What a brilliant idea. I finally see what these $150 ads were all about, a long term strategy.

No matter how metabolism differs between people, the basic fact is that every bit of overweight comes from what goes in the mouth, period. Think about that when you are getting your usual allotment of mayonaise, tubs and tubs of buttery trans-fatty spread, chips, cookies, sodas, fries and whatever else your parents thought was a dietary staple. Yes, condiments count. So, skip the magic pills, and inventory what goes down your triple chinned throat. A Whopper, fries, and a diet coke is still way over 1000 calories. Look in the grocery cart of every porko (oh boo hoo, if the shoe fits) and its usually obvious to everyone else, packs and packs of cookies to tide them over until meal time. Sad part, is that their kids learn to eat the same way, but they are even more non-mobile. Don't chaffeur them around, make them ride their bikes. By the way, I'm not thin by any means, but I know where it comes from.

hmmm... i believe both leptoprin and leptopril can be found for much cheaper than some of you guys paying over $100. anyways i was looking at both of them and also hydroxycut, anybody have any feedback on hydroxycut?

actually how would you rate the following: leptoprin, leptopril, hydroxycut, and propolene?

These are ALL scams. There's no way to compare them because none of them work at all.

Dave

Hello I have been taking Leptopril for about 2 weeks now. I havent notice much weight different (maybe between 2-5 lbs) but I cant sleep for the life of me at night! Its soo horrible. I have way to much energy

OK I too was seduced by the "this is ONLY for the seriously overweight" line, thinking "well I'm not THAT fat so this should work in no time." I knew from the start that it was probably just herbal crack but I figured, well I'm young and lazy and I want this extra padding to go away without much work. So I took it religiously for about 2 weeks. At first I felt fantastic, I was eating less, my house was suddenly SPOTLESS and I DID lose an inch or two in water weight. After a few days though the water-loss stopped, and I just started feeling shaky (especially mentally) and addled and nauscious. I was even feeling tightness in my chest. Finally my mood became so horrible that I quit. After reading up on this stuff, it was interesting to see that my symptoms were consistant with "ECA Stacks", which is a combination of Ephedra, caffeine and aspirin. This is a dangerous and sometimes deadly mix. Even though the bottle says "Ephedra-Free", the people behind Leptopril/n are pretty shady and I wouldn't be surprised if they used the same pills they already had in their little warehouse in Utah for the newer "ephedra-free" pill.

A side note on the company's shady manipulations... they offer "leptoprilsupport.com" in which you get a supposedly personalized diet program. This is also a complete scam. You are lead to a simple standard diet web-page after first telling them all your dieting habits and lots of personal info(which in retrospect is clearly only used to tweak their marketing) and then forking over your sacred email address(god only knows who buys it from them.) The "personalized diet plan" is a lame standard webpage that shows the same 3 options in a row to everyone, regardless of the personal info that you just handed over to them.
Also, the entire website is identical to another called myfreediet.com. its all so obviously a scam.

I'm just wondering when that poor fool who is a hundred pounds overweight keels over from this stuff. I'm 26, heart-healthy and it gave me palpitations!

i am over 100 pounds over weight and i have taken letopril on a normal diet and lost 50 pounds but as soon as i stoped i gained it right back so now i will try it again i may be a fool but it gives me intuition to eat right and energy to excersize becouse after a day with a multiply impared child i need the extra energy i know the product may be a scam but its a kick butt placebo. just have to think it works and anything will work. its better than an energy drink lol. wish they were smaller though!

i took a bottle and almost a half and the pills nearly burned me alive. it peeled all the skin off my body.

i just want to know why everytime i take this shit my stomach hurts like a son of a bitch. and i dont live in a trailer either......oh and i work full time too. imagine that. but anyway the stomach ache thing............wow

Boycott GSN (aka Game Show Network) as they accept these ads since it just pads their fat, stupid programming bank accounts!!! Leptopril and Hydroxicut suck.

Also do a Google search on Focus Factor... another scam rip-off artist scheme. The "free" bottle if you just pay "$4.95" for "shipping and handling" (S&H) requires a credit card and what they DON'T tell you is that they'll send you another bottle next month automatically at a cost of $200+/bottle!!!
be an intactivist

I just bough a bottle of Leptoprril as i read comments about fat people has any taking this pill? how did it work for you? and is there a diet we should go on thank you

If you've read ANY of the comments on this thread, Jean, then you should have gotten the clue that most of us with any sense urge you NOT TO TAKE IT. IT'S DANGEROUS.

There are mixed opinions on the product, and the placebo effect is a possibility. However, I've gone through a bottle of Leptopril and I like it. I'm a competitive bodybuilder. I'm 5'10" and weight 200 lbs. off-season/185 lbs. on-season. I've done research on many supplements and have a degree in Exercise Physiology. After using this product, I really do feel that it's effective. A clean diet and proper training (weight training and cardio) are needed for results with any cutting or weight loss supplement, but I am happy with the results.

Hydroxycut by MuscleTech is my usual cutting agent for competition. I live and die by MuscleTech products. Very good! Before calling these products trash, what are your training and diet like? Is your diet clean? Are you training regularly? Supplements aren't made so you can sit there, watch tv and lose weight, they're exactly what their called: supplements. These products are there to supplement your diet and training program.

Oh, maybe some reasearch would benefit some of you when it comes to supplements used for bodybuilding. Hydroxycut is an athlete's fat burner. It's made for bodybuilders, figure competitors and others in the fitness world, amatuer and pro alike. I try new things on the market when it interests me, but I will always come back to Hydroxycut. MuscleTech products DO 100% WORK!

Leptopril/prin is NOT being marketed to bodybuilders, and in fact Hydroxycut is also being marketed to non bodybuilders. These 'supplements' are being marketed to regular, indolent people as a way to lose weight without diet or exercise, which they just aren't any good for at all.

Dave

Unfortunately, any diet pill that truly works will probably be banned in short order just as phen-fen and ephedrine were. In order to lose weight it has to make changes in our body that will in alost every case negatively effect some people. Even if only a couple of people out of millions die the product will be banned and the companies will be back to selling us chalk.

Beginning an exercise program will cause side effects including heart failure and death in some people, fortunately there is no one to sue so we can still use it. If 'exercise' was a diet product sold in bottle form it would have been banned long ago.

i've taken this junk for about a month now, and i'm eating less and GAINING WEIGHT. go figure. I've gained about 5 lbs. Since I'm eating less, i just don't understand it. so I have to agree with Dave that these pills are crap. I monitor my eating habits like a hawk. Maybe I drink far too much caffiene while on these but I don't know. anyways, don't waste your money on these. They don't work

I am curious as to your feelings regarding herbal supplements in general. Do you feel they are all bogus? Do you not know enough to comment? Have you had any experience with them? Just curious.

Leptopril is not, strictly speaking, a herbal supplement. Like many of these products it makes that claim in order to get around the FDA, but it's basically a synthetic product with no pretensions to containing natural ingredients for any established medical value.

There are REAL herbal products which do work for various purposes, possibly even as appetite suppressants and certainly as stimulants. Some are dangerous, some might be helpful. But they aren't being sold as miracle diet products which will produce massive, instant weight loss.

Dave

The contents of Leptopril are:

Yerba Maté (leaf)
Guarana (seed)
Damiana (leaf)
L-tyrosine
Acetylcalicylic acid
Green tea (leaf)
Kola nut SE
Eucommia (bark)
Schizonepeta (Spica) SE
Piper Nigrum (fruit)
Hoelen (aerial parts)
Polyconum (root)
Turmeric (rhizome)
Xanthines

These are all herbal supplements but upon research they are all pretty much used here for their caffiene content. Unfortunately it looks like this product is one big caffiene pill. Thanks for the info--Curious

Interesting. Those are not the contents which it had last time I examined the list of contents. They've basically completely changed the contents of the pills but kept the name. That alone says something about what they're selling.

Dave

Dave, if that's right, that would be quite a story, wouldn't it..?

I have never bought either pills, but I did do some research on them which brought me to this spot. I was considering a diet pill, but have changed my mind now. Thank you for that. There was a comment made by someone that the people who purchase diet pills are "trailer trash". What a harsh thing to say. There are millions of people who take some sort of diet aid per year. To say they are all trash is just stupid. Unfortunately I would have to say most are misinformed and feeling desperate. Great article Dave, thanks for helping out the "trashy" people.

My first thought about leptoprin when i saw the commercial was that it was the real thing because it warns to not use if you are a casual dieter, so it must be strong in some sort of way because you have to be very obeise. if all they were trying to do is make money then why do they even bother to warn you not to use it if you are a casual dieter? most people will listen to that warning and that cuts out alot of buyers.

also, i am trying to figure out what diet pill to get for myself. i had thought about leptopril but im not sure now. to the person that said hydroxycut works really good, i would like to know how good it works and your results and suggestions or anyone that has any suggestions to what to take for losing weight and firming muscles.

No, Brittany, that warning doesn't discourage buyers, it sucks them in. It makes them think the useless crap actually does something so they buy it.

Why do you need a diet pill at all? If you're severely obese get a gastric bypass. Your insurance will pay for it. If you're just normally overweight, get some exercise and cut your calories appropriately for your height and body type. And don't expect to lose weight over night. Give it a few months and see what happens.

Dave

I just recently bought hydroxycut. I tried the Leptorpril also and I lost weight.. but I also stopped drinking sodas and stopped eating foods high in sugar and fat.. I would recommend the hydroxycut.. It worked for me.

So do any of you guys think that the people who posted and said that it works and loses weight are on the payroll of the company?

I saw the advertisement on TV and wanted to verify the connection between the companies. So I typed in Leptopril... it was like I typed in teen sex, the pages were overflooded with advertisements.

So I typed in Leptopril Bogus, I got this page. I wouldn't be surprised if they have a bunch of interns making $10 a hour doing nothing but finding every possible way to advertise their crap online.

If only they advertised Letopril as:
"Don't try the other fake, bogus, fraudulent, etc, etc, pills." Just add as many catch words that people would use in a search for fraud, that way you can get EVEN MORE HITS FOR YOUR ADVERTISEMENTS!!!

Hey, maybe I should apply for a job...

149 obese at 5'7"

Sheesh, I was 165 and at 6.7% body fat at 5'7", BTW that's ultra lean and built. 149 is fat, what planet are you on!!! Now I'm 180 and look a bit chubby if I was 125 I would be a freakin' skeleton.

I took 2 leptopril this morning and have felt like I was dying all day. It made me feel too sick to even begin to think about eating food. I must say that the claims that it is a placebo are false.It's extremely irritating to read all the posts written by people who have no personal experience with said pill. I am sure that taken on a regular basis Leptopril would actually be effective, but it renders one incapable of functioning normally in their daily lives. Only buy it if you don't mind feeling like utter shit and also have the desire to become an insomniac.

It's not that Leptopril is a placebo. It does indeed have ingredients which may have effects on you, as noted previously. The point is that any weight loss which it causes is from the 'placebo effect' - the belief that it is working causes whatever effects there are, not the contents.

However, the manufacturers seem to have changed the contents of the pills since this article was written and they've added even more as yet unregulated 'herbal' stimulants which offer even more unknown dangers and side effects, so that even more than originally noted in the article Leptopril is both useless AND dangerous.

Dave

Hi Dave!!

Your article about Leptopril was so funny !!! Thank you for making me laugh...I released some stress from work today. I just purchased Leptoril today, and I will keep you posted on my results in a few months....(smile).

Kindest regards, Sandy

I Know that there are many many spoof diet pills, and so on, But I have personally taken Leptopril, and it does, infact work. I don't know about any real metabolic speed up, but it does work to supress the appetite when taken as directed. That is all I bought it for, peroid. With absolutly no excercise in a one month peroid I lost 20 lbs. I don't feel horrible when taking them either. Slam the company all you want, but if something works, People are going to buy it.

I am a 27 year old female and have been overweight since I was 10 years old. I have tried every diet pill on the market just about. Even the wonder drug "Leptopril". I had just about given up hope when I saw the commercial come on TV advertising this cheaper version wonder drug. WOW, I thought. Maybe I will try just one more diet pill. I went to work and typed in leptopril and the only information that came up was the website to buy it from. I usually do research on these pills to see what kind of information is available but i couldnt find anything. So I bought a one month supply and had it shipped by two-day air. I received it two days later and was so excited. I took the first dose. After 20 minutes of taking it I noticed a change. I tried again to research it online and this time I decided to google it. It lead me to nothing but negative feedback and all these blogs. I was glued to the computer screen reading all this negative feedback that i didnt really notice that my face was bright red and i was litterally drenched with sweat until my boss came out of his office and saw me and said something. Then I started vomiting. I thought i was about to jump out of my skin. The whole day was horrible. It finally weared off later that evening. Can you imagine what would have happened if i had taken the recommended dose all day???? I saw where one girl was rushed to the emergency room from taken Leptopril for only a week. I called the customer service department and asked about how i could return the product. They always claim to be hassle free with "no questions asked" but it was like pulling teeth to get information on how to send this product back to them. So, the same day I received my order i was shipping the product back to them. Since then i decided to try one more thing. It truly has changed my whole way of life. Its called Herbalife. NO! I am not getting paid to mention this company. I have lost 74 pounds on Herbalife and i feel great. I reduced my calorie intake to about 1200 calories a day. People- 1200 calories is not small meals if you choose the right foods. Also, get out and walk. The first time I tried Herbalife products, I didnt notice anything. Not until I sat down to eat my meal. I had barely eaten anything and i was full..I thought, thats weird. My energy level was the biggest change for me. I used to get out of breath just walking from inside my home to outside to get in the car. I am a totally different person and all I can say is thanks to this company. It is a safe way to lose the weight. REMEMBER, We did not put this weight on overnight so dont expect it to come off overnight. The way to keep the weight off is to lose it slowly.

Basically if you want to lose weight by taking leptopril, it would be much cheaper to drink a pot of coffee then stick your finger down your throat. I am seeing that some of these posts say Leptopril only cost them 20-30 dollars. I am insanely mad that i spent 79 dollars plus 16.95 for the shipping...

Dave have you heard any negative things mentioned about Herbalife????
I hope not, because I finally have found something that really works for me.

I personally bought Leptopril two days ago, now i just think i have to much energy, it takes me a long time to go to sleep and i hate that but i dont eat as i used to ,which is great. I sincerely have alot of confidence that it will work, as far as diet pills dont work, well i have a buddy that actually took another pill about four years ago with exercise and we both used to be overweight, but now hes skinny and it was because of the pills. Dont get me wrong i havent seen results yet but it has been only two days, if it dont work ill make sure to spread the word around this particully pill.

okay, first of all, my step father did take the pill and said it did in fact decrease his appetite whether psychological or not, it worked for him, who has the right to say whether it is right or not.

Second of all, in response to a post from about a year ago :#6
Victor Plenty
URL
August 7, 2005
01:14 AMSadly, the name Anorexa is understandable, taken from the purely mercenary and ruthless point of view these businesses surely have. Many people (especially young women) are so desperate to lose weight by any means, some of them set anorexia as their conscious goal.

I really wish I was joking about that.

It would be a tasteless joke, to be sure, but not nearly so disturbing as the reality of the situation."

THAT IS THE SINGLE MOST DISGUSTING and uneducated thing I have ever read. Anyone with even a little bit of knowledge knows that anorexia nervosa is NOT merely a decision. You do not wake up one day and say hmmm, why don't I just become anorexic and I will lose weight. Anyone who has ever tried not eating to lose weight will tell you how impossible it is! There are a number of psychological factors UNRELATED to weight or weight loss that influence whether an individual does or does not develop the DISEASE.

Get your facts straight before you go posting inconsiderate statements like that.

Just because someone is desperate enough to try a diet pill doesn't make them stupid or deserving to die. Insulting people who are actively trying to make their lives better is petty and childish. Lets not forget that people who are obese are treated like second class citizens and made to feel ugly and unworthy. The fact they would be willing to try something that could potentially kill them just to lose weight and fit into society shows how desperate they have become. Weight loss is not usually about becoming healthy, its usually about fitting in with society's standards. Also, this pill isn't just being sold on television anymore. It has moved into stores, pharmacies we all trust. Walgreens, Rite Aid, CVS...all carry this pill.

Why is it that so many of you insist on putting other people down? Why are you visiting this site? Are you Fat, thin, average, black, white, yellow or green and stupid... who of any of you are better than the other? Smarter than the "White trash fat mobile home owner you all seem to have such harsh feelings for? If it makes all of you feel better about yourselves to put others down... maybe you all should seek some of your own medical attention... the mental kind!!! I am an average white woman who lives in an upscale neighborhood and is smart enough to seek medical attention when needed... but that doesn't make me any better than the people you all want to put down. Do I live off my husband... the government... or whomever? Am I "white trash" or fat and stupid? You don't know do you? But hurry... pass judgement on me... quick before you have the chance to focus on your own life issues. All kinds of people in this world have all kinds of issues... just do yourself a favor while you are too busy looking down on others... don't trip and fall...

And the government?...They should have stronger advertising and drug or supplement regulations to keep these kinds of scams from over running our airways... correct!!! As far as the govenment goes... they do what they want, when they want, putting themselves in front of the publics need for regulation. So.. in my opinion (I'll share mine like so many of you have)... try to focus on yourselves more than putting down what you consider to be trash!!!! Who are you all anyway? Oh wait!!!! You are better than all the white trash, fat, stupid and lazy people who can't seem to get off the couch. And do I care what you think of me or anyone else for that matter? NO...

Poor "Angry" must not read very much if my little comment #6 was the single most disgusting and uneducated thing he or she has ever read. There's also a clear shortage of reading comprehension. I never said "all people with anorexia got the disease because they chose to get it," which Angry seems to think I'd said. Of course diseases like anorexia are more complex than anyone simply deciding to get them.

Nevertheless, there does exist a subculture of people who call themselves "pro-anorexia," people who consciously attempt to become anorexic or stay anorexic. They do this solely to appease our society's inexorable demand for everyone to be thinner.

I'd look up some links and post them here to prove what I'm saying is true, but I'd rather not give such groups any more traffic than they already get.

For all the ones attacking this product, you have never even tried it, you're just going on your paranoia that tells you for SURE that someone must be screwing you over. Stop being so negative, and don't knock it till you try it. It makes me so full that I can't eat more than about 200 cals per meal. I've lost 6.6 pounds in five days.

Spinning around three times clockwise and saying "abracadabra" might be a great way to lose weight. Apparently I can't say anything against it, because I've never even tried it.

I bought Leptopril today and have to admit I am liking the results so far. I am a new mom (not breastfeeding due to certain circumstances) who is still very overweight from the pregnancy and has no energy due to a new child (who doesn't sleep)with a dad who works the night shift, working part-time, and starting my final semester of school. Although I cannot vouch for whether this product is valid on it's weight loss I can say I haven't had this much energy in a long time. I am only taking 1 pill twice a day but that is enough.I have yet to feel nauseated or jittery or any of the other symptoms I have read other people have. Hopefully it works.

If it doesn't work it really doesn't bother me though.Im one of the lucky ones, I got 2 bottles for 9.99 a piece at GNC and with the GNC gold card discount I only ended up spending $15.

I loved your article Dave but you haven't even come close to how big of a scam plot this bogus diet pill really is.

You see, selling effective products in any industry let alone the diet pill industry is an arduous taks. The best selling products are rarely the most effective products. Instead they have the most effective and clever marketing campaigns and tactics.

The marketing team over at Klein-Becker (the name is meant to manipulate in itself)are masterful at manipulating consumers and exploiting there weaknesses. They manipulated in at least 2 other ways which you failed to mention.

First, they really raked it in by setting a price so high, that the their target would assume that it is apparently a wonder drug. If they priced the uneffective product at $19.95 (with plenty of profit), they probably wouldn't sell near the quantity. So their clever advertisement not only sucked in far more desperate dieters who wouldn't pay $20 for their product but would't hesitate to pay $150, their profit was 8 times that of which was reasonable. Best of both worlds-huh?

Secondly, they also drew in all of the 5-10 pound overweighters by telling them if they are not at least 20 pounds overweight- it is not for them! I'll bet at least 40% of those they baited, were 5-10 pounds overweight. They too, wouldn't have bought the product if it wasn't $153 per bottle and better yet if it was actually designed for people 5-10 pounds overweight.

I caught all of this the very first time I saw their ad more than a year ago. I formerly designed these clever marketing plans and generated millions from them in multiple industries. You might be surprised to learn that these same type of psycological tactics are often deployed in fortune 100 corporations to market their products. Remember the employee discounts all of the automobile manufacturers were giving about a year ago? You can get as good of a price if not better today on another unprecedented now or never deal. Make no mistake about it!

Everyone is just trying to survive and earn a living in our capitalistic free enterprise system. They just do not know how to win a consumers free will even with a good product with so many competitors manipulating their desperately needed customers. The only solution they have is to out manipulate their competition. Believe me they have tried everything else. It just doesn't pay the bills or satisfy their investors.

I feel bad for the legitimate company which actually develops a diet pill which costs substantially more to produce in order to deliver more effective results. They will lose enormous revenue for everyone that took a Leptopril lesson at their expense.

These challenges and practices are in every industry. It has only resulted in a more leery and cynical consumers and damaged reputations. It will continue for a little while longer and then our system will burst like never before. Remember that you read this.

you guys are a bunch of retards. i have been taking Leptopril for about 2 weeks and 1 have lost 8 pounds and it does not make me feel like shit like everyone else says. It has suppressed my appetite without making me feel like barfing every time i see food. Did you ever think that some of these people may not be used to a ton of caffeine in the first place? I have always darnk tons of caffeine and i dont feel any different from taking these than i would from drinking a mt. dew. if you arent used to caffeine maybe you shouldn't take them but they work great for me. Also, i am a registered pharmacy technician and i know my pills pretty well and judging from the iggredients in Leptopril they work. Also i had my boss, a pharmacist, look at them and she said that they look like they would work pretty well based on the ingredients. So i would like to know
who th ehell this Dave guy is and why he thinks he knows anything about Leptopril. Is he a doctor or does he have any medical background or any kind of college experience like i do? H esounds like he is just some loser you sits on his ass on internet all day long and trys to pretend that he actually has the medical knowledge that i do have to back up his claims that these dont work. bottom line, I work in a pharmacy , i have researched the ingredients, they do work and i will continue to take them and keep you updated on my progress.

Yes, indeed, don't let the Federal Trade Commission filing charges stop you -- someone who works in a pharmacy and drinks tons of caffeine says it's okay!

Not.

Thank you for the Info! You just saved me about half a days pay and I appreciate it!

dear sir, my husband just got a order i hqve been taking them for 4 day will they hut me need to know thank you

For those who keep saying no one has tried the product-I bought leptopril 4 months ago to speed up the weight loss. 5"7 200pnds when I begin losing weight 8 months ago. In the 4 months before leptopril I did all the right things and lost 31 pounds. When I added leptopril I had no change in the amount of time I was losing weight. It says in "a few weeks" you will see a difference, I cut my workouts in half to see how strong it was if it even worked. I gained 3 pounds. I kept on leptopril for 1 full month and saw absolutely no change in weight loss except was I was already getting from the dieting and workouts. If you want to lose weight then you will. It's that simple. If you're serious about it you will lose weight. No magic pill is going to help you. I have never been fit, and have lived constantly 30 to 50 pounds overweight from about the age of 8. I am now 20 and have gotten down from 200pnds to 165pnds. If you're going to waste your money on a diet program how about Jenny or Weight Watchers. They inlcude a sensible diet and excorsize program. You've tried the pill that doesn't work, every weight loss pill! Go to one of these programs and memorize what to do...that would be a hell of a lot cheaper.

well, seem that everyone here seems to be experts on weight loss and gain, and the facts of anorexia maybe you might like the thoughts of a slightly overweight teen.
weight gain tablets have yet to work for me but ive only tried low budget "fat blaster" tablets. maybe a more expenise product might work because it has better ingrediants?!
scrolling through this seeing that there is all different outcomes! dont be simple minded and just do what total strangers tell you to do. just because there pesimists. just because they csnt afford them. well im going to see how they work for a couple of months.
HAVE A LITTLE FAITH!

Some of us can't afford gastric bypass surgery and don't have insurance to pay for it. I am severely overweight and in bad health so can not exercise to lose weight. I eat less than 1000 calories a day but ose no weight whatsoever.

The best weight loss plan I've tried so far is Weight Watchers. Eat better, exercise more. That will work. Forget the pil