This invention relates to a method for the separation of stereoisomers of 7-hydroxy-furo[3,4-c]pyridine derivatives of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.6 represent various substitutents, which comprises reacting a fully O-acetylated monosaccharide halogenide with a racemate of the selected 7-hydroxy-furo[3,4-c]pyridine derivative, to form the (+) and (-) (O-acetylated monosaccharide) (furo[3,4-c] pyridine 7-yl derivative) ethers, then separating the (+) and the (-) ethers by selective crystallization, in an hydroalcoholic medium, either of the acetylated forms or of the corresponding desacetylated forms and, finally, working up each of the separated derivatives by the usual routes. The compounds are known pharmaceuticals.