Which medication would be least likely prescribed for acute panic attacks?

In the context of treating acute panic attacks, SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) are typically not the first-line option due to their pharmacokinetics and time to therapeutic effect. SSRIs are commonly prescribed for long-term management of panic disorder and anxiety, as they can take several weeks to build up in the system and exhibit their full therapeutic effects. Therefore, they are not ideally suited for the immediate relief required during an acute panic attack, where rapid action has a significant impact on the patient's distress.

On the other hand, medications like benzodiazepines provide rapid relief from acute anxiety symptoms due to their quick onset of action. Beta-blockers can also be useful for managing physiological symptoms associated with panic attacks, such as increased heart rate. Buspirone, while used for anxiety management, does not act quickly enough to be effective in an acute setting.