Which of the following is an anxiolytic used in treating PTSD?

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Clonazepam is classified as a benzodiazepine, which is a type of anxiolytic medication. Benzodiazepines are frequently used in the short-term management of anxiety and are effective in providing rapid relief from acute anxiety symptoms. In the context of treating PTSD, clonazepam may be used to help manage hyperarousal and anxiety symptoms that occur in response to trauma reminders.

While other options like fluoxetine and sertraline are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that are often first-line treatments for PTSD due to their effectiveness in improving overall mood, anxiety, and the symptoms related to PTSD, they do not primarily function as anxiolytics. Amitriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant that can be used off-label for some anxiety disorders but is not classified specifically as an anxiolytic.

Thus, clonazepam stands out as a medication explicitly used within the anxiolytic category and has immediate effects on anxiety, which makes it relevant for alleviating acute anxiety symptoms associated with PTSD.

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