“What is the fastest acting anxiety medication?”

The fastest acting medication for anxiety is Xanax (alprazolam). It is a benzodiazepine and listed as a Schule 4 narcotic. Because of its rapid acting it is extremely addicting. Although it acts quickly, it last only for a few hours and then abruptly stops, often with what feels like a rebound anxiety.

Hi, good morning!

Thank you for your question.
Benzodiazepine group of medications such as Alprazolam, Clonazepam, Lorazepam or Diazepam work very quickly within few hours to bring anxiety down initially. Other medications, non-benzodiazepine groups such as Diphenhydramine or Hydroxyzine also work quicker for anxiety. FDA (Food & Drug Association) approved meds for anxiety disorders such as Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, citalopram or escitalopram work better for long-term effect, but it takes 3-4 few weeks to see response. Usually doctors start medications which work faster to reduce anxiety if it is very serious and making life dysfunctional and add FDA approved medications for long-term effects.
Thank you.

There are several medications for anxiety, but not knowing the history such as how long and what has been tried in the past, this is a case that needs to be seen on a one-to-one basis before saying he needs benzodiazepines, and there are other combinations available.