Ativan, or Lorazepam, which is the generic name of its main active component, is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs for the treatment of anxiety and panic disorders in US today. Ativan is classified as a benzodiazepine – the same group of medication like Klonopin, Dalmane, Valium and Xanax, as well as a number of other sedatives and anti anxiety drugs. Anxiety is a very common issue  today – studies have shown that over six million people get treatment for it every year, in the US alone. It’s believed that the main cause of anxiety and related psychological disturbances is an abnormal, hyperactive activity in the nerve centers of the brain. If not taken care of, anxiety can give rise to a number of other psychological and psychosomatic disorders and disturbances.

Most doctors and psychiatrists today believe that a specific neurochemical, called Gamma aminobutyric acid plays a crucial part in the treatment, as well as the development of anxiety. Gamma aminobutyric acid can be considered to be a neurotransmitter, which means that the nervous system uses GABA as a way to transmit messages and signals between various nerves and centers in the brain. Ativan, much like some other benzodiazepines works by increasing the effect of Gamma aminobutyric acid – which in turn significantly lowers the abnormal neurochemical activity in the brain that is the main cause of anxiety. However, this approach to treating anxiety – as efficient as it is – can have some side effects. Most common side effects of Ativan include drowsiness, sleepiness, dizziness and related feelings that come with extreme relaxation, especially if taken by otherwise healthy individuals. However, this relaxing effect is just what most people who suffer from anxiety need to “balance out” their brain chemistry. In effect, Ativan makes people who suffer from anxiety feel normal and healthy again.

Although there’s a number of benzodiazepines on the market today, Ativan is the single most popular one. The reason for Ativan’s popularity over some similar medications – like Diazepam, Bromazepam and Alprazolam is that Ativan has both a much quicker effect, and a shorter half life. This means that Ativan is able to help more quickly, as well as that’s it’s traces completely leave the system after a short period of time, which prevents the buildup of too much drug in the body.  This is very important and makes Ativan a perfect choice, even for frequent, prolonged usage, since having too much traces of benzodiazepines in the blood can be potentially dangerous. All of these characteristics make Ativan the preferred first choice for the treatment of anxiety for a majority of doctors.

Ativan is usually only available if you have a prescription from a doctor. However, more and more people choose to order Ativan online, due to the savings, availability and ease of access that online shopping provides. Ativan can also be available under other names. These generic Ativan drugs are most commonly based on Lorazepam – the same active substance found in the original Ativan. Just make sure that you always by your medications only from reputable online pharmacies.