Over the past few years in my life I have been on various painkillers that have all been rather similar. (Vicodin, percocet, and demerol.) Recently, I had surgery on my jaw and have just returned to school. I'm in excruciating pain about halfway through the day so my doctor prescribed for me oxycontin. It works like a charm and allows me to function relatively painlessely for the entire day. 1) What I was wondering is what ingredient do they have in it that allows the pill to relieve the pain for upwards of 12 hours when all the other pills only work for 3-4? 2) And sort of another general question...How exactly do painkillers work in general?
