See images of Ativan (Lorazepam), including the medication and its packaging. This medication is used to treat anxiety. Lorazepam belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines which act on the brain and nerves (central nervous system) to produce a calming effect. This drug works by enhancing the effects of a certain natural chemical in the body (GABA). tablet, to be taken orally, contains mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg of lorazepam. The As with all patients on CNS-depressant drugs, patients receiving lorazepam.