Which medication is indicated for the treatment of bipolar disorder due to its mood-stabilizing properties?

Valproic acid (Depakote) is a well-established medication used primarily as a mood stabilizer in the treatment of bipolar disorder. It is effective in managing both the manic and depressive episodes associated with the condition. Its mechanism of action involves increasing the availability of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an inhibitory neurotransmitter, which helps in stabilizing mood.

Cariprazine (Vraylar), while used for the treatment of schizophrenia and as an adjunctive treatment for major depressive disorder, is primarily an atypical antipsychotic that has shown some efficacy in treating manic or mixed episodes in bipolar disorder. Specifically, it acts as a partial agonist at the D3 and D2 receptors, which can help with mood stabilization in some instances.

The indication of both medications in the context of bipolar disorder creates the rationale for the selection of the correct answer. Valproic acid is a first-line treatment for mood stabilization, while cariprazine can be employed for its mood-stabilizing effects, albeit in a different capacity. Thus, the inclusion of both is justified, supporting the choice that encompasses potential effective treatments available for bipolar disorder.