Stobadine is obtained in a 3-step synthesis including the resolution of one of the enantiomers (V) Treatment of p-tolylhydrazine (I) with N-methyl-4-piperidone (II) yields 2,8-dimethyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-pyrido[4,3-b]indole (III). After catalytic hydrogenation of (III), the (?-cis isomer (IV) is obtained. In the following phase the resolution of (IV) is carried out with (+)-dibenzyoltartaric acid. After several recrystallizations, the optically pure (-)-cis-enantiomer is obtained. Treatment of the optically pure base with hydrochloric or another acid yields the corresponding salts.