Medical abortions induced with either mifepristone or methotrexate and then followed by misoprostol are becoming more common. Although mifepristone is the preferred drug used to initiate the abortion in Europe, parts of Asia and in the US, it is not available in many parts of the world such as Canada, South America and most of Africa. While methotrexate is an acceptable and more widely available alternative, concerns about the safety of administration have discouraged some providers from using it. The cost of either mifepristone or methotrexate may also be barriers to widespread use. Misoprostol is inexpensive and easily available and is used alone for abortion both by the women themselves and by medical providers. Effective use of a single safe medication will reduce the number of medications women are exposed to.