Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 2, 2026

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms
11:36

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms

Published on: May 29, 2020

Diltiazem and granulomatous hepatitis

N S Sarachek, R L London, T J Matulewicz

    Gastroenterology
    |May 1, 1985
    PubMed

    Insights

    Diltiazem use can cause granulomatous hepatitis, a liver condition confirmed by biopsy. Healthcare providers should monitor patients for liver injury signs while on diltiazem.

    Area of Science:

    • Hepatology
    • Clinical Pharmacology

    Background:

    • Diltiazem is a widely prescribed calcium channel blocker for cardiovascular conditions.
    • Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) encompasses a range of hepatic pathologies.
    • Granulomatous hepatitis is a specific pattern of liver inflammation.

    Observation:

    • A case of granulomatous hepatitis was diagnosed in a patient undergoing diltiazem therapy.
    • Liver biopsy confirmed the presence of granulomas, indicative of granulomatous hepatitis.
    • The clinical presentation included fever and laboratory abnormalities suggestive of hepatic injury.

    Findings:

    • A biopsy-proven case of granulomatous hepatitis was directly linked to diltiazem administration.
    • The histological findings were consistent with a drug-induced hepatic reaction.
    • Cessation of diltiazem was implied as a management strategy, though not explicitly stated.

    Implications:

    • Clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion for diltiazem-induced granulomatous hepatitis.
    • Early recognition and diagnosis are crucial for preventing severe hepatic damage.
    • Awareness of this rare complication can guide patient management and improve outcomes.

    More Related Videos

    Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro11:06

    Human Liver Microphysiological System for Assessing Drug-Induced Liver Toxicity In Vitro

    Published on: January 31, 2022

    The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension05:57

    The Antihypertensive Effects and Mechanisms of Huotan Jiedu Tongluo Decoction in Rats with H-Type Hypertension

    Published on: May 17, 2024

    Related Concept Videos

    Antihypertensive Drugs: Thiazide-Class Diuretics01:15

    Antihypertensive Drugs: Thiazide-Class Diuretics

    Thiazide diuretics are sulfonamide derivatives featuring a benzothiadiazine ring system in their molecular structure. Based on this structure, thiazide diuretics can be categorized into two groups: thiazide-type and thiazide-like diuretics. Thiazide-type diuretics, including hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide, consist of a benzothiadiazine backbone with an attached sulfonamide group. Thiazide-like diuretics, such as chlorthalidone and indapamide, lack the thiazide ring but demonstrate...
    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers01:12

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers

    Class III antiarrhythmic drugs are a group of medications that can prolong action potentials in the heart. They achieve this by blocking potassium channels or enhancing inward currents from sodium channels. However, these drugs have a unique property of "reverse use-dependence," which is most pronounced at slower heart rates and can lead to torsades de pointes—a specific type of arrhythmia. However, it is essential to note that excessive QT interval prolongation—a measure of the heart's...
    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers01:20

    Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class IV Agents as Calcium Channel Blockers

    Class IV antiarrhythmic drugs, such as verapamil and diltiazem, block calcium channels. They primarily affect the heart, slowing the conduction in calcium-dependent tissues like the SA and AV nodes. These drugs manage reentrant supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) and reduce ventricular rate in atrial flutter/fibrillation.
    Verapamil, a calcium channel blocker, inhibits calcium movement across myocardial cell membranes and vascular smooth muscle. This results in the dilation of coronary and...
    Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine01:25

    Antianginal Drugs: Calcium Channel Blockers and Ranolazine

    Angina pectoris, a primary symptom of ischemic heart disease, requires careful pharmacological interventions. In this context, calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and ranolazine have emerged as crucial pharmacotherapeutic agents, providing deep insights into the complexities of angina management.
    CCBs, a diverse class that includes dihydropyridines (nifedipine) and diphenylalkylamines (verapamil and diltiazem), exert their effect by blocking calcium channels in cardiac and smooth muscle cells. This...
    Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers01:26

    Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers

    Receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and calcium channel blockers (CCBs) are two critical categories of drugs employed in the treatment of pulmonary artery hypertension (PAH). PAH is a disease that causes high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries, resulting in chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
    TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment01:08

    Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Dose Adjustments Due to Hepatic Impairment

    Hepatic impairment, characterized by decreased liver function, does not uniformly mandate adjustments in drug dosage. Whether dosage modifications are necessary depends on various factors related to the drug's metabolism and elimination pathways. If a drug is primarily excreted via the kidneys and bypasses significant hepatic processing, if it undergoes minimal metabolic transformation in the liver, or if it is volatile and primarily expelled through the lungs, dose adjustments may not be...