Which of the following is NOT a benzodiazepine anxiolytic?

• A. Ativan
• B. Buspar
• C. Klonopin
• D. Valium

Answer: (B)

The main idea here is that not all anxiety meds labeled as anxiolytics are benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines—like lorazepam (Ativan), clonazepam (Klonopin), and diazepam (Valium)—are fast-acting agents that enhance GABA activity, providing quick anxiety relief but with higher risks of sedation and dependence.

Buspirone (Buspar) is not a benzodiazepine. It’s a non-benzodiazepine anxiolytic that works differently, primarily as a partial agonist at serotonin 5-HT1A receptors. Because its action isn’t the same as benzos, it doesn’t share their characteristic fast calming effects and sedative profile, and it has a lower abuse potential. It also tends to take several weeks to reach full effect, rather than providing immediate relief. That combination—non-benzodiazepine mechanism, slower onset, and lower abuse risk—makes Buspirone the correct answer as “NOT a benzodiazepine anxiolytic.”