FASTER (Fast Assessment of Stroke and Transient Ischemic Attack to Prevent Early Recurrence) evaluated simvastatin 40 mg versus placebo in patients with a TIA or minor stroke within Because of slow enrollment, this trial was terminated early. There were no significant differences in recurrent stroke or safety outcomes in the simvastatin versus placebo groups. FASTER was underpowered because of early termination, and the statin doses used in FASTER were of moderate intensity (not the high-intensity dose recommended for secondary stroke prevention). ASSORT (Administration of Statin on Acute Ischemic Stroke Patient) showed no difference in 90-day mRS score when statins were begun within 24 hours or on the seventh day.390 See Tables XCI and XCII in online Data Supplement 1. 6.8.5 Special Patient Groups COR LOE New, Revised, or Unchanged Women of childbearing age who are treated with statin therapy and are sexually active should be counseled to use a reliable form of contraception. I C-LD Recommendation unchanged from 2018 Cholesterol Guidelines. Women of childbearing age with hypercholesterolemia who plan to become pregnant should stop the statin 1 to 2 months before pregnancy is attempted or, if they become pregnant while on a statin, should have the statin stopped as soon as the pregnancy is discovered. I C-LD Recommendation unchanged from 2018 Cholesterol Guidelines. In adults with advanced kidney disease that requires dialysis treatment who are currently on LDL-lowering therapy with a statin, it may be reasonable to continue the statin. IIb C-LD Recommendation unchanged from 2018 Cholesterol Guidelines. In adults with advanced kidney disease who require dialysis treatment, initiation of a statin is not recommended. III: No Benefit B-R Recommendation unchanged from 2018 Cholesterol Guidelines. 6.9. Institution of Antihypertensive Medications 6.9. 