heparin

American  

[hep-uh-rin] / ˈhɛp ə rɪn /

noun

1. Biochemistry. a polysaccharide, occurring in various tissues, especially the liver, and having anticoagulent properties.

2. Pharmacology. a commercial form of this substance, obtained from the liver and lungs of domesticated food animals, that when injected into the blood prevents coagulation: used chiefly in the treatment of thrombosis.

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heparin British  

/ ˈhɛpərɪn /

noun

1. a polysaccharide, containing sulphate groups, present in most body tissues: an anticoagulant used in the treatment of thrombosis

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heparin Scientific  

/ hĕp′ər-ĭn /

1. An acidic glycosaminoglycan found especially in lung and liver tissue that prevents the clotting of blood and is used intravenously in the treatment of thrombosis and embolism.

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Other Word Forms

• heparinoid
  adjective

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Etymology

Origin of heparin

1915–20; < Greek hêpar the liver + -in ²

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heparin

But she was treated with heparin, an anticoagulant derived from intestinal tissue of pigs.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 4, 2026

It delivers a shot of adrenaline, while a snakebite pen could inject heparin.

From BBC ● Feb. 7, 2026

But there have been periodic episodes that have exposed concerns in other sectors, including the 2008 scandal in China over the production of the blood thinner heparin.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 18, 2025

Another plus is that it is a synthetic molecule, unlike the current clinical standard for the past 100 years, heparin.

From Science Daily ● May 13, 2024

Make a note — we'll need to run some heparin soon.

From "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie" by Jordan Sonnenblick

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