A study reported in the March 2006 issue of Headache determined that patients experiencing a migraine headache found greater relief in a shorter amount of time after taking 2 Excedrin Migraine tablets than patients taking 2 ibuprofen tablets. The data came from a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study of 1555 migraine sufferers. Patients who took 2 Excedrin Migraine tablets when pain had reached a moderate intensity experienced significantly greater relief during the first 2 hours. Their pain relief was significantly better and was sustained longer (at the 3-and 4-hour postdose marks), when compared with the ibuprofen and placebo groups. It took Excedrin Migraine 45 minutes to work, compared with placebo; it took ibuprofen 90 minutes to work, compared with placebo. Significant relief was achieved 20 minutes sooner in the Excedrin Migraine group, compared with the ibuprofen group.

Ms. Farley is a freelance medical writer based in Wakefield, RI.