As a rule I don’t buy brand-name analgesics, which are chemically identical to competing house-brand or generics costing 4 to 15 times less.

But I did a double-take when I saw Excedrin Migraine on the shelf and, intrigued, tried to figure out what makes it different from the standard Excedrin formula, which is a combination of equal amounts acetaminophen (Tylenol) and aspirin, laced with caffeine.

That’s three minutes of my life I’ll never have back.

That’s right, there’s no difference. None.

Extra credit: Which will be first to market, Excedrin Crazy Bone or Excedrin Brain Freeze?