Last updated: April 23, 2026
Lopressor is a branded oral beta-blocker (metoprolol tartrate) that is manufactured and supplied through a multi-step global supply chain: active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) producers, finished-dose manufacturers, and contract packers/labelers. For investment and R&D diligence, the controlling item is finished-dose supply (NDA/ANDA labeling and manufacturing), because it governs product availability, stability, and label-specific quality systems.
Who supplies Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) in the U.S.?
Lopressor is marketed in the U.S. as metoprolol tartrate tablets (branded). In practice, U.S. supply is dominated by:
- The brand authorization holder’s supply chain for the original product route
- Generic manufacturers that rely on equivalent formulations under FDA-approved pathways (often for the same strength/tablet form)
In U.S. procurement and distribution, buyers typically source through:
- Wholesalers (national distribution networks)
- Authorized distributors and group purchasing organizations
- Direct contracts with finished-dose manufacturers or their distributors
How to identify the actual tablet manufacturer(s) of Lopressor?
To pinpoint the specific tablet manufacturer for a given lot and strength, the operational approach is to pull the manufacturing site(s) from:
- The U.S. prescribing information (label) for the marketed product
- FDA’s drug labeling and listing records for the product
- NDC labeler/manufacturer fields used by wholesalers and procurement systems
This matters because the “brand” name can persist while the “manufacturer of record” changes via authorized manufacturing transfers.
What is the regulatory product in question (drug substance and dosage form)?
Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate) is:
- Drug substance: Metoprolol tartrate
- Dosage form: Immediate-release tablets
- Indication class: Beta-1 selective blocker used for hypertension, angina, and related cardiovascular indications (per label)
What are the supplier layers in the Lopressor supply chain?
A robust supplier map separates three layers:
1) API suppliers (metoprolol tartrate)
Commonly sourced from chemical API manufacturers under GMP and controlled by DMF filings and quality agreements.
2) Finished-dose manufacturers (tablets)
These entities compress, coat (if applicable), package, and test final tablets under GMP in facilities listed for the product.
3) Packaging and labelers
Contract packaging sites can differ from tablet manufacturing sites. The labeler may be the marketing authorization holder or a distributor acting as labeler, depending on NDC configuration.
Which supplier data fields matter for diligence?
For business-critical decisions (continuity of supply, legal product responsibility, and quality risk), track:
- NDC labeler / manufacturer of record
- Manufacturing site address on bottle/carton labeling
- Lot number traceability path (API batch to finished batch mapping where required)
- GMP inspection history for the finished-dose site(s) (FDA EIRs, warning letters where relevant)
- Stability and packaging specification (immediate-release tablet formats)
Practical supplier shortlist format (what buyers actually use)
A supplier shortlist for Lopressor procurement typically includes:
- Finished-dose manufacturer(s) by strength/NDC
- Primary wholesaler/distributor for each region
- Backup manufacturer route (if the labeler supports multiple sites)
Without pulling the lot-specific label/NDC mapping and the labeler/manufacturer strings, any “supplier name list” becomes unreliable and can misstate the actual manufacturing entity.
Key takeaways
- Lopressor supply is governed by finished-dose manufacturer and NDC labeler/manufacturer strings, not by the brand name alone.
- The supply chain has three layers: metoprolol tartrate API, tablet manufacturing, and packaging/labeling.
- For actionable supplier identification, use product label/manufacturer fields and NDC records tied to the specific strength and lot.
FAQs
1) Is Lopressor sourced from a single manufacturer globally?
No. Finished-dose manufacturing sites and packaging can change over time while the brand name and label remain consistent.
2) What is the difference between API suppliers and finished-dose manufacturers for Lopressor?
API suppliers produce metoprolol tartrate as raw material. Finished-dose manufacturers produce tablets under GMP and control dissolution, uniformity, and finished-batch release.
3) Where do procurement teams find the real “who made it” for Lopressor lots?
On the product packaging and via NDC labeler/manufacturer fields tied to that exact strength.
4) Why do NDC labeler and manufacturer names sometimes differ?
Because labeler (marketing or distribution entity) can differ from the plant releasing the finished product; contract packaging and authorized manufacturing transfers also drive differences.
5) Can generic metoprolol tartrate tablets replace Lopressor for supply planning?
In many cases, supply planning uses therapeutic equivalents (metoprolol tartrate immediate-release tablets) under appropriate formulary and substitution rules, but brand-specific traceability and lot-level quality needs still matter.
Sources
[1] U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Drug Product Database (Drugs@FDA) and labeling information for Lopressor (metoprolol tartrate). (Accessed 2026). https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/daf/
[2] FDA. NDC Directory. National Drug Code Directory for drug labeler/manufacturer mapping. (Accessed 2026). https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-approvals-and-databases/national-drug-code-directory
