EXHIBIT 5


                                                                November 4, 1997
Leiner Health Products Inc.
901 E. 233rd Street
Carson, CA 90745


                          REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-4
                            OF LEINER HEALTH PRODUCTS INC.
                             (REGISTRATION NO. 333-33121)         


Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We have acted as special counsel to Leiner Health Products Inc., a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and
filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), of a Registration Statement on
Form S-4 (as amended, the "Registration Statement"), which includes a form of
prospectus (the "Prospectus") relating to the proposed exchange by the Company
of $85,000,000 aggregate principal amount of its 95/8% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2007, (the "Existing Notes") for $85,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
its 95/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2007 (the "New Notes"), which are to be
registered under the Act.



Leiner Health Products Inc.               2                  November 4, 1997

         In so acting, we have examined and relied upon the originals, or
copies certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such records,
documents, certificates and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary
or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below.

         We are of the opinion that the New Notes to be offered pursuant to the
Registration Statement will be validly issued and will be legal, valid and
binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with their terms, except as may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally or by general principles of equity (regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in an action at law or in equity).

         We express no opinion as to the effect of any Federal or state laws
regarding fraudulent transfers or conveyances.

         We express no opinion as to the laws of any jurisdiction other than
the Federal laws of the United States, the laws of the State of New York and the
General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

         We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the use of our name under the headings "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus.  In giving such consent, we do not hereby concede
that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.


                             Very truly yours,

                             /s/ Debevoise & Plimpton