Cases of adverse drug reactions which occurred in the elderly, and were notified to the Regional Centre of Pharmacovigilance of Angers between 1995 and 1998, were analysed in two subgroups: from 75- to 84-years-old and older than 84 years. Among the 263 cases recorded in the elderly, there was no significant difference between the 75- to 84-year-old patients (180 cases) and the patients older than 84 years (83 cases) concerning past medical history, severity of effects or medication. Side-effects in patients over 74 were mainly cutaneous, haematological and neuropsychiatric, involving in decreasing order of frequency cardiovascular, neuropsychiatric, antibiotic, analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. In comparison with patients under 75, adverse drug reactions are more frequent and more serious, notably overdose and drug interactions, in elderly people. The occurrence of some avoidable side-effects justifies the strengthening of information about therapeutic safety in the elderly.