Cardiovascular risk associated with acarbose versus metformin as the first-line treatment in patients with type 2 diabetes: a nationwide cohort study

Metformin is the first-line oral therapy for type 2 diabetes with proven benefits against cardiovascular risk. Recent evidence suggested that acarbose might be similar to metformin in glucose-lowering efficacy and cardiovascular risk reduction. Therefore, international guidelines have suggested the use of acarbose as alternative first-line antidiabetic therapy.