Reprop triggers bowel movements immediately after use.
Laxatives taken orally are not easy to control in their effect. The desired effect occurs with a delay, about 6–12 hours after intake, or it may suddenly occur unexpectedly. Such laxatives are also associated with side effects such as bloating and cramp-like abdominal pain. Most laxatives, when used over a longer period, cause the loss of water from body tissue into the intestine, leading to dehydration and disturbances in the body’s mineral balance (especially potassium loss). Potassium loss leads to muscle weakness and intestinal sluggishness, which in turn promotes constipation. In contrast to medicinal laxatives, enemas with water do not disrupt the body’s mineral balance.