Ativan belongs to a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines work by increasing the activity of certain neurotransmitters in the brain. Ativan Medication is used in adults and children over the age of 12 to treat anxiety. Ativan is also used to treat insomnia caused by anxiety or temporary stress. It is also sometimes used to treat nausea and vomiting from cannabis treatments and to deal with alcohol-related depression.