German users of discredited arthritis painkiller Vioxx are considering joining a US class action suit against manufacturer Merck & Co Inc, a lawyer for the complainants said.

Berlin-based Andreas Schulz made the comment on yesterday's ARD's news programme Tagesschau.

Schulz is representing several Vioxx users as well as relatives of a former user who allege his death was linked to the drug.

The manufacturer withdrew the drug on Oct 1 after research indicated an increased risk of heart attack and strokes for users. A class action suit on behalf of US users was announced two days later.

According to news magazine Der Spiegel, Germany had an estimated 340,000 patients taking Vioxx.