OBJECTIVE:To determine the rheological properties of xanthan gum and to investigate its suspending effect.METHODS:Under different conditions such as light,refrigeration and additives,the NDJ-1 rotative viscometry was used to measure the change of viscosity by various rates of shearing.We used sucralfate as model drug,xanthan gum as suspension agent,and prepared 100g.L-1 of sucralfate suspesion.RESULTS:Plastic construction and thixotropy appeared in the solutions.Its optimum concentration for suspension was 3g.L-1 and this suspension appeared significant thixotropy.CONCLUSION:Some factors such as light,refrigeration and additives have no effects on thixotropy.The solution of xanthan gum can be applied as suspension agent.