Definition of "heparin" []

• An acidic glycosaminoglycan found especially in lung and liver tissue and having the ability to prevent the clotting of blood, used in the treatment of thrombosis. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Amphastar said its imported heparin product presents "no threat whatsoever to the drug-consuming public" because that heparin is not intended for consumers."
• "The FDA said people who have heparin from the recalled lots should discontinue use immediately."
• "APP Pharmaceuticals Inc., of Schaumburg, Ill., also gets the active ingredient for much of its heparin from a Chinese supplier."