Get 10% Discount Apply Coupon Code "USA10" Lorazepam is a drug in the benzodiazepine class, and Ativan is the brand name for it. Benzodiazepines are depressants of the central nervous system that affect the brain in a variety of ways, including sedative and relaxing effects. Lorazepam is frequently recommended as a pre-anesthetic to help patients relax before surgery as well as for the short-term treatment of anxiety disorders and insomnia.