Table 3.

Content of exaggerated advertising regarding prescription drug misuse of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists by off-label use for weight loss (N=87)^a.

Themes	Illustrative quotes	Values, n (%)
Induction by nonscientific information (no diet or exercise therapy required)	…Exercise is also unnecessary. Exercise is less effective in losing weight. …Medical dieting is a treatment that suppresses appetite and promotes weight loss by taking a medicine called GLP-1 receptor agonist, which is used in the treatment of diabetes, without diet restrictions or hard exercise regimen.	60 (69)
Induction by nonscientific information (natural and healthy methods)	…By managing portion sizes, you can reduce calorie intake and engage in a natural and controlled dietary regimen. …To achieve weight loss in a healthy manner. …It also has fat-burning and pancreas-protecting effects, making it a healthy way to lose weight.	21 (24)
Subjective expressions of risks	…Since the delayed gastric emptying effect is not long-lasting, there is little need to consider it dangerous. …I, as the director, have also used it and had no side effects other than slight heartburn, which may have caused mild anorexia and slight weight loss.	27 (31)
Statements that you can always get the drug only through web-based medical consultation	…Everything from making an appointment and consultation to prescribing a drug is done online, so there is no need to go out. …You can see us from anywhere in the country via our web-based clinic. [...] There is no consultation fee; GLP-1 injections will be mailed to you.	20 (23)

^aAdvertisements containing expressions that could mislead citizens, as determined by coders under Japan’s medical advertising guidelines.