An imidazole compound of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is lower alkyl, R.sub.2 is hydrogen or lower alkyl, and R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 are hydrogen, lower alkyl, trifluoromethyl, amino, mono- or di-lower alkylamino, heterocyclic amino, halogen or ##STR2## (in which R.sub.6 is hydrogen, lower alkyl or lower alkylsulfonyl, A is carbonyl or sulfonyl, and R.sub.7 is lower alkyl, halogenated lower alkyl, mono- or di-lower alkylamino, mono- or di-lower alkylaminoalkyl, unsubstituted phenyl or phenyl having halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or trifluoromethyl, phenylamino or phenylamino having halogen, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or trifluoromethyl); and their pharmaceutically acceptable acid addition salts.The compounds are useful for treating patients suffering from depression.