Thunder God Vine + Diltiazem
Diltiazem brand names: Cardizem, Cardizem SR, Diltiaz SR, Cardizem CD, Tiazac, and others.
Diltiazem falls into 2 drug categories that Thunder God Vine can interact with; the most serious is rated moderate. Theoretically, CYP3A4 inhibitors might increase the levels and adverse effects of thunder god vine constituents.
Read the full interaction reportThunder God Vine and Diltiazem
These two interact in 2 distinct ways. Each one is explained separately below.
Why Are There 2 Interactions?
Thunder God Vine interacts with whole categories of medication. Diltiazem falls into 2 of those categories, so it can interact with Thunder God Vine in 2 different ways. We’ve listed each one below — your overall risk is driven by the most serious of them (Moderate).
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS
1 of 2Why this applies to Diltiazem
Diltiazem falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) INHIBITORS — the group Thunder God Vine interacts with.
Inhibitors of CYP3A4 can increase the concentration of triptolide, a thunder god vine constituent, and its derivative (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide. In vitro research shows that triptolide and (5R)-5-hydroxytriptolide are about 94% and 64% metabolized by CYP3A4, respectively.
Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
Here's the thing to know about pairing these two: diltiazem blocks an enzyme called CYP3A4, which is one of the main pathways your body uses to break down Thunder God Vine's active compounds (triptolide and a related substance). With that cleanup slowed, those herb compounds could build up to higher levels than expected.
So in this case the concern isn't really about your diltiazem changing. It's that the Thunder God Vine may hit harder, raising the chance of its toxic effects, which can include stomach upset, liver problems, and other serious reactions. This is a theoretical interaction based on lab studies, not proven cases, so don't panic. Still, because Thunder God Vine can be risky on its own, please check with your pharmacist or doctor before combining them.
- Xu Y, Zhang YF, Chen XY, Zhong DF. CYP3A4 inducer and inhibitor strongly affect the pharmacokinetics of triptolide and its derivative in rats. Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2018;39(8):1386-1392. PubMed
CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES
2 of 2Diltiazem also falls under CYTOCHROME P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) SUBSTRATES.
In vitro research shows that triptolide, a constituent of thunder god vine, inhibits CYP3A4 enzymes in human microsomes. This interaction has not been reported in humans.
Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
Your body relies on a liver enzyme called CYP3A4 to break down diltiazem and keep its levels steady. Lab studies suggest that triptolide, one of the active compounds in Thunder God Vine, may block this same enzyme. If that happened in real life, diltiazem could clear out more slowly and build up in your system, which can push its effects too far. That might show up as a slower heart rate, dizziness, lightheadedness, low blood pressure, or swelling in your ankles.
I want to be honest with you though: this concern comes only from test-tube research and has never actually been reported in people, so it's theoretical right now. Still, since both this herb and diltiazem affect the heart, please loop in your doctor or pharmacist before combining them.
- Song W, Liu M, Wu J, Zhai H, Chen Y, Peng Z. Preclinical Pharmacokinetics of Triptolide: A Potential Antitumor Drug. Curr Drug Metab. 2019;20(2):147-154. PubMed
What These Ratings Mean
Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.
Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.
Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.
Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.
- LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
- ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
- PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
- UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
- AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
- BCase-control study.
- CConsensus.
- DAnecdotal evidence.
These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.
Thunder God Vine Also Interacts With Other Medications
Thunder God Vine has 848 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Diltiazem one above is among them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.
Check Another of Your Medications Against Thunder God Vine
We haven’t checked that one against Thunder God Vine yet — ask our pharmacists directly.
Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Thunder God Vine. Pick one to open its full report.
Questions About Thunder God Vine or Diltiazem
These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Thunder God Vine or Diltiazem, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:
- Is Terry Naturally Anxiocalm Safe With Amlodipine? ›
- Is Garlique Safe To Take With Blood Pressure Medication? ›
- Are Diltiazem ER Tablets And Capsules Interchangeable? ›
Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.
See Every Supplement That Interacts With Diltiazem
This page covers Thunder God Vine only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Diltiazem page lists 260 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.
The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), American Hellebore (major), American Mistletoe (major), Coleus (major) and Grapefruit (major).
By severity: 7 major · 214 moderate · 39 minor.
From our pharmacist’s overview on the Diltiazem page
“Someone on diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac) is usually managing blood pressure, angina, or a fast heart rhythm, so this list deserves genuine care. Seven of the 260 ingredients on file carry a major rating, and two of those are things people actually buy: grapefruit, which blocks the enzyme that clears diltiazem and can push its blood leve…”
Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026
Where Thunder God Vine and Diltiazem Sit Against Everything Else
Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.
#1,039 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days
#147 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days
Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.
About Thunder God Vine
What is Thunder God Vine?
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Lupus and autoimmune conditions
- Inflammation
- Skin conditions like psoriasis
- Immune-related disorders
Thunder God Vine is a Chinese herb studied mainly for rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune conditions, with some promising but limited evidence. It can be toxic if prepared or dosed improperly, and may cause serious side effects, so it should only be used under medical supervision. Avoid it during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
About Diltiazem
What Is Diltiazem Used For?
Brand names: Cardizem, Cardizem SR, Diltiaz SR, Cardizem CD, Tiazac, Diltiaz XT, Diltiaz CD, Dilacor, Diltiaz, Cardizem LA, Dilacor XR, Cartia XT, Tiamate, Adizem-SR, Adizem-XL, Angitil SR, Angitil XL, Calcicard CR, Dilcardia SR, Dilzem SR, Dilzem XL, Slozem, Tildiem LA, Tildiem Retard, Viazem XL, Zemtard 120XL, Zemtard 180XL, Zemtard 240XL, Zemtard 300XL
Oral extended-release forms of diltiazem — including Matzim LA, Cardizem LA, Cartia, Cartia XT, Tiadylt ER, and various generic capsules and tablets — are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and chronic stable angina (chest pain brought on by activity). Some capsule formulations, including Cartia, Cartia XT, and certain generics, are also approved for angina due to coronary artery spasm (sudden chest pain caused by a sudden tightening of a coronary artery).
Injectable forms of diltiazem are used in hospital settings to temporarily slow a dangerously fast heart rate in atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter (rapid, irregular heart rhythms), and to restore a normal heart rhythm in paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT) — sudden episodes of a very fast but regular heartbeat originating above the heart's lower chambers.
Other Drugs & Thunder God Vine
Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Thunder God Vine — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.
No drugs match “”.
848 interactions
- Theophylline ›
- Nifedipine ›
- Metronidazole ›
- Hydrocortisone ›
- Naproxen ›
- Erythromycin ›
- Estradiol ›
- Propranolol ›
- Lidocaine ›
- Norethindrone ›
- Testosterone ›
- Verapamil ›
- Levonorgestrel ›
- Prednisone ›
- Quinidine ›
- Cyclosporine ›
- Dexamethasone ›
- Triazolam ›
- Zopiclone ›
- Ciprofloxacin ›
- Colchicine ›
- Fentanyl ›
- Oxybutynin ›
- Prednisolone ›
- Tacrolimus ›
- Temazepam ›
- Triamcinolone ›
- Budesonide ›
- Carbamazepine ›
- Clindamycin ›
- Dextromethorphan ›
- Doxorubicin ›
- Fluticasone ›
- Miconazole ›
- Acetaminophen ›
- Buprenorphine ›
- Conjugated Estrogens ›
- Diazepam ›
- Everolimus ›
- Ivabradine ›
- Lofepramine ›
- Medroxyprogesterone ›
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate ›
- Nortriptyline ›
- Rifampin ›
- Testosterone Undecanoate ›
- Aripiprazole ›
- Bendamustine ›
- Betamethasone ›
- Caffeine (otc Drug) ›
- Ciclesonide ›
- Cimetidine ›
- Clonazepam ›
- Cyclobenzaprine ›
- Dapsone ›
- Desipramine ›
- Erythromycin Ethylsuccinate ›
- Erythromycin Stearate ›
- Etoposide ›
- Fluticasone Propionate ›
Showing 60 of 848 moderate interactions — see all 848 on the Thunder God Vine page.
No interaction 1,981 drugs checked — show the list
We also checked Thunder God Vine against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.
- Levothyroxine ›
- Methylphenidate ›
- Ivermectin ›
- Aspirin ›
- Metoprolol ›
- Rosuvastatin ›
- Escitalopram ›
- Docusate ›
- Tirzepatide ›
- Methamphetamine ›
- Ibuprofen ›
- Valacyclovir ›
- Hydroxyurea ›
- Sumatriptan ›
- Semaglutide ›
- Lisdexamfetamine ›
- Metformin ›
- Amoxicillin ›
- Lisinopril ›
- Isotretinoin ›
- Methotrexate ›
- Bupropion ›
- Amphetamine ›
- Doxycycline ›
- Acyclovir ›
- Azithromycin ›
- Pregabalin ›
- Lamotrigine ›
- Dextroamphetamine ›
- Gabapentin ›
- Levothyroxine, Liothyronine ›
- Duloxetine ›
- Methylene Blue ›
- Bisoprolol ›
- Candesartan Cilexetil ›
- Amoxicillin, Clavulanate Potassium ›
- Acetaminophen, Dextromethorphan, Doxylamine ›
- Cephalexin ›
- Cyclopentolate ›
- Ezetimibe ›
- Mannitol ›
- Acetylsalicylic Acid ›
- Levetiracetam ›
- Carbidopa, Levodopa ›
- Phentermine, Topiramate ›
- Spironolactone ›
- Dexmethylphenidate ›
- Thyroid Hormone ›
- Levothyroxine Sodium ›
- Levodopa ›
- Pizotifen ›
- Valsartan ›
- Daptomycin ›
- Venlafaxine ›
- Canagliflozin, Metformin ›
- Hexobarbitone ›
- Cefaclor ›
- Lenvatinib ›
- Mitomycin ›
- Flutemetamol F-18 ›
Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,981 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Thunder God Vine list.
Sources & How We Checked
Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference for vitamins, herbs and supplements — the basis for our interaction data.
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine — NIH consumer drug information, used for the medication overviews.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — Official supplement product labels.
Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.
Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.
DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.
© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC
Diltiazem Is Linked to Lower Levels of 2 Nutrients
Natural Medicines records Diltiazem as a medicine that can lower these. This is not an interaction with Thunder God Vine — it is a separate effect of the medicine, and it is a reason some people are advised to supplement rather than to avoid one:
Read the full Diltiazem nutrient depletion report ›
Depletion records come from the licensed Natural Medicines database. Do not start a supplement on the strength of this page — ask your pharmacist or doctor whether it applies to you.
Taking Thunder God Vine and Diltiazem Together: Common Questions
Can you take Thunder God Vine with Diltiazem?
Why are there 2 interactions listed for Thunder God Vine and Diltiazem?
How serious is the Thunder God Vine and Diltiazem interaction?
Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy
Still Have a Question About Diltiazem and Thunder God Vine?
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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.