The addition of isocyanides to pyridinium salts is studied. The process takes place efficiently when a carboxamido group is present in the 3position of the pyridine ring. The outcome of the reaction involves the stabilization of the nitrilium intermediate by the amide, which suffersa mild dehydration, leading regioselectively to -cyano--carbamoyl-1,4-dihydropyridines. In this way, a variety of nicotinamide derivativeswere carbamoylated. Extension to quinolinium, isoquinolinium, and N-acylpyridinium salts is also reported.