This review is based on 25 double-blind anti-depressant drug studies reported between 1964 and 1986 that focused on patients over 55 years of age. The number of studies located in the literature is appallingly small, particularly when we consider that we included experimental drugs as well as drugs not recommended for use with the elderly. In general, the results of our survey support clinical experience: the drugs are clearly superior to placebo; they show comparable therapeutic efficacy--about 50% improvement in Hamilton Psychiatric Rating Scale for Depression scores versus 20% to 25% on placebo; and all of them have undesirable side effects. Thus, the choice of drug is based on side effects profiles and potential drug-drug interactions rather than on degree of therapeutic efficacy. The review makes apparent the need for more substantial data on treatment outcome in patients over the age of 60 years. Beyond that, additional information is unlikely to change the 50% response rate or the potential for serious side effects with most of the currently available drugs. We clearly need better drugs.