Ativan is the brand name for lorazepam, a medication belonging to the benzodiazepine class. It is primarily used to treat anxiety disorders, but it also has other medical applications due to its calming and sedative effects. Ativan is commonly prescribed to help relieve anxiety symptoms, including generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) and panic attacks. Lorazepam works by enhancing the effects of a neurotransmitter called gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the brain. GABA has inhibitory effects, helping to reduce neuronal excitability, which leads to a calming effect on the brain and body.
