Which medication used for anxiety has a delayed onset of action compared to others?

Buspirone is recognized for its delayed onset of action in the treatment of anxiety disorders. Unlike benzodiazepines such as diazepam and alprazolam, which can provide immediate relief of anxiety symptoms due to their rapid mechanism of action, buspirone typically takes several weeks of consistent use before patients experience its full therapeutic effects. This delay is attributed to its unique pharmacological profile, which involves the modulation of serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain rather than the immediate enhancement of GABA activity that is characteristic of benzodiazepines.

Fluoxetine, while also taking time to exhibit its effects, is primarily an antidepressant than an anxiolytic and may be more suited for chronic anxiety management rather than acute situations. Therefore, buspirone stands out as the medication most specifically associated with a delayed response time in the context of anxiolytic therapy.