Lorazepam, sold under the brand name Ativan among others, is a benzodiazepine medication. It is used to treat anxiety, insomnia, severe agitation, active seizures including status epilepticus, alcohol withdrawal, and chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. It is also used during surgery to interfere with memory formation, to sedate those who are being mechanically ventilated, and, along with other treatments, for acute coronary syndrome due to cocaine use. It can be given orally, transdermally, intravenously, or intramuscularly. When given by injection, onset of effects is between one and thirty minutes and effects last for up to a day.