Etomidate is a popular intravenous induction agent because it has a stable haemodynamic profile and results in minimal histamine release. Myoclonus is observed in 50%–80% of patients who did not receive pretreatment before etomidate administration, which increases the risk of regurgitation and aspiration in emergency conditions. Various drugs were used in the treatment of myoclonus but the results have been inconclusive. Dexmedetomidine, a new alpha-2 agonist has been tried by several authors to suppress the myoclonus induced by etomidate. A prospective randomized controlled double blind study was conducted in seventy patients aged between 18-55 years belonging to ASA I and II scheduled for elective surgery under general anaesthesia. After obtaining informed written consent, a detailed preanaesthetic evaluation was done and investigations were obtained as indicated. The patients were randomized into 2 groups with 35 patients each, received either 0.5 μg/kg of dexmedetomidine in 10 ml saline (Group D) or 10 ml of Saline (Group S) over a period of 10 minutes prior to etomidate induction. The incidence of severe myoclonus was significantly less in group D compared to saline group with p = 0.031 (8.57% in group D and 28.5% in group S). However there was no change in the incidence of myoclonus (P = 0.237) and pain on injection (p = 0.309) in both groups. Recovery profile was comparable in both groups. Our study shows that pretreatment with dexmedetomidine 0.5 μg/kg IV is effective in reducing the severity of etomidate induced myoclonic muscle movements without however dexmedetomidine does not have any significant effect on the incidence of myoclonus following etomidate induction.