The author summarises the reasons why the depressive disorder and its treatment is so important and she shows the list of new antidepressants. The variables associated with the choice of antidepressants are divided into variables connected with the drug (efficacy, tolerability, safety) and variables connected with the patient. There are included age and sex of patient, symptoms, subtypes of depression, comorbidity with psychic and somatic disorder. In the near future the genetic information will also be used. It is necessary for the good choice of antidepressant for the right patient to have knowledge about antidepressants that are available and to assess carefully the psychic state including dynamic of the disorder and pharmacological history.

        Key words: choice of antidepressant, efficacy, tolerability, safety, age, sex, subtypes of depression, comorbidity.