The invention relates to new racemic and optically active 1,12b-disubstituted octahydroindolo[2,3-a]quinolizine derivatives of the formula (I) ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, halogen, nitro, alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or hydroxyl,R.sup.3 and R.sup.5 are the same or different and represent hydrogen, alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms or aralkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety,R.sup.4 is alkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, aryl or aralkyl having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, andR.sup.6 is an electron attracting substitutent, and cis and trans isomers and acid addition salts thereof.The compounds are pharmaceutically active, in particular show an outstanding cardiovascular, e.g. selective peripheral vasodilating activity. Some of these compounds are valuable intermediates in the preparation of other, pharmaceutically active compounds.