Is it safe to take wellbutrin (bupropion) for bipolar disorder? does the manic episodes get worse?

It's less likely: Any anti-depressant runs a risk for a manic episode in bipolar disorders. Wellbutrin (bupropion) is considered a less risky choice than other drugs, but with monitoring and perhaps lithium too, it's a well respected choice. Communicate as well as you can with doctor to be safe and it should be okay. Adjunct talk therapy may be a big help! best wishes.

It can be.: As indicated, any antidepressant can induce cycling. As a result we often attempt to avoid antidepressants if possible in bipolar disorder. I noticed that you are on the mood stabilizer lamictal, which should decrease this likelihood. Tell your doc immediately if you have any symptoms of mania or a mixed state, this is where you feel depressed/irritable and hyper at the same time.

Maybe: Any antidepressant has potential to induce mania in people with bipolar disorder. However, wellbutrin seems to be somewhat 'safer' in this regard than other antidepressants (such as ssris like prozac, zoloft, and Celexa or snris like Effexor (venlafaxine) and cymbalta).