From the FDA Drug Label
The FDA drug label does not answer the question.
From the Research
When caring for a 23-year-old patient, focus on both physical and mental health concerns common in young adults, prioritizing substance use screening, mental health assessment, sexual health counseling, and lifestyle factor encouragement, as these significantly impact morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. The importance of a thorough history and physical examination in diagnosis is supported by recent studies, such as 1, which highlights the cost-effectiveness and patient protection of using patient history and physical as a basis for selecting relevant diagnostic testing.
Key considerations for this age group include:
- Screening for substance use (alcohol, tobacco, marijuana, and other drugs), as this age group has high rates of experimentation and potential for developing dependencies
- Assessing mental health thoroughly, as anxiety, depression, and eating disorders often emerge or worsen during early adulthood, with studies such as 2 showing an association between mitochondrial DNA copy number and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress- and adjustment disorders
- Providing sexual health counseling, including STI prevention, contraception options (such as combined oral contraceptives, IUDs, or implants), and HPV vaccination if not previously completed
- Addressing lifestyle factors by encouraging regular physical activity (150 minutes of moderate exercise weekly), balanced nutrition, adequate sleep (7-9 hours nightly), and stress management techniques
- Considering social determinants of health, including education, employment, housing stability, and insurance status, as these significantly impact health outcomes, as noted in studies such as 3, which emphasizes the importance of the physical examination in the outpatient setting for establishing a diagnosis and building the physician-patient relationship.
Young adults may have inconsistent healthcare utilization, so establishing rapport and emphasizing preventive care is crucial. Verifying immunization status, particularly for Tdap, meningococcal, and annual influenza vaccines, and obtaining comprehensive medical records for continuity of care are also essential considerations.