hirudin
/hɪˈrudɪn/
noun
- A substance produced by leeches that prevents blood from clotting, used in medicine as an anticoagulant.
- Scientists are studying synthetic hirudin as a safer alternative to traditional blood thinners.
- The doctor prescribed a hirudin-based drug to prevent blood clots after surgery.
- Hirudin is extracted from leeches and used in some blood-thinning medications.