how do painkillers work?

Answer 1

Depends on what kind. Some block the signal of pain to the brain, while others treat the actual source -- like anti-inflammatories.

Answer 2

Some painkillers block the reception of pain signals, others treat the source, and others work in a combination of these two manners by using some mix of drugs.

Answer 3

An analgesic (colloquially known as a painkiller) is any member of the diverse group of drugs used to relieve pain and to achieve analgesia. This derives from Greek an-, "without", and -algia, "pain". Analgesic drugs act in various ways on the peripheral and central nervous system; they include paracetamol (acetaminophen), the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as the salicylates, narcotic drugs such as morphine, synthetic drugs with narcotic properties such as tramadol, and various others. Some other classes of drugs not normally considered analgesics are used to treat neuropathic pain syndromes; these include tricyclic antidepressants and anticonvulsants.

Answer 4

depends on which "painkiller" u're using they'd have different mechanisms of action. most blocks receptors from entering the brain. so u know the pain is there. but u dont feel it.
others would take down inflammation around the area to decrease the pain

Answer 5

This was a very good question. I always wondered why my aunt was so doped up on morphine and still in pain right before she died of cancer. I am not for assisted suicide, but I see nothing wrong with alleviating pain with drugs, even if it hastens death. I wish she had the option for the Fentanyl patch. It would have made things much easier. And I agree with Michelle. Hospice workers are heroes. They took care of my brother before he died.

Answer 6

Non steroid anti inflammatory drugs inhibit prostaglandin biosynthesis and inhibit hyaluronidase.They confine the pain gradually to a point and eliminate it.
Steroid anti inflammatory drugs suppress inflammation.
Narcotics induce mild to moderate sedation and delay and stop pain impulses from reaching pain center in brain.

Answer 7

Slows everything down, and like he said above. That's why combining Alcohol is so dangerous. Pain killers slow your heart rate/blood pressure and so does Alcohol. Too much and you don't wake up enough to puke it all out and drown in your own puke. Geesh I'm a drug educator, I JUST CAN"T STOP PREACHING> I need to go to bed.

Answer 8

It depends on the drug.

Opiods (morphine, oxycontin, fentanyl, demerol, etc) work by activating opiod receptors, which are present throughout your body.

Anti-inflammatory drugs (motrin, aspirin) work by decreasing inflammation by interrupting the formation of prostaglandins.

Local anesthetics work by inhibiting the transport of sodium across neural cell membranes.

Answer 9

By slowing down, and immobilizing the signal from the nerves that are causing the pain. That is why, when you are not, in pain, and take them, you receive a high. The body does not know which signals to slow down.

Answer 10

pain is inhibited by 3 mechanisms which is overall known as "GATE CONTROL THEORY" given by RONALD MELZAK & PATRICK WALL GATE.pain killers work thru these mechanisms.
actually it is the brain that plays the vitak role.brain sends the message to block the pain through opiate peptides & natural killers.