Home › Side effects › Fatigue
Fatigue (extreme tiredness)
Cancer-related fatigue is one of the most common side effects of almost every treatment. It's a tiredness that rest doesn't fully fix.
When it happens
It can build over the course of treatment and may last weeks or months after treatment ends.
What helps at home
- Light exercise like walking often helps fatigue; ask your team what's safe.
- Plan important tasks for when you have the most energy.
- Let others help with chores, meals and rides.
- Take short naps (under an hour) so you can still sleep at night.
- Eat regularly and drink fluids.
- Ask your team to check for causes like anemia or thyroid problems.
Call your care team now if you have:
- You're too tired to get out of bed or care for yourself
- You're short of breath, dizzy or your heart races
- Fatigue suddenly gets much worse
Call 911 for trouble breathing, chest pain or signs of stroke.
Drugs on this site linked to fatigue
- Keytruda
- Opdivo
- Tagrisso
- Ibrance
- Verzenio
- Herceptin
- Tamoxifen
- Lynparza
- Zejula
- Avastin
- Elahere
- Xtandi
- Carboplatin
- Oxaliplatin
- Cyclophosphamide
- Docetaxel (Taxotere)
- Pemetrexed (Alimta)
▶ Watch
Watch: Managing cancer side effects: Fatigue (UT MD Anderson Cancer Center)
Watch: How to Manage Side Effects During Cancer Treatment: Fatigue, Hair, Skin Care | Cancer Straight Talk (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)
Videos open on YouTube and are made by the channels named. We don't host them.
💬 What experts are saying
Prostate cancer specialists on OncLive say tiredness is a common, real side effect of hormone drugs like Xtandi. Doctors look at how much it affects daily life and may adjust the dose to help, so describe your energy honestly at each visit.
Source: Fatigue Assessment and Dose Modification in Prostate Cancer Management (OncLive, February 3, 2026)
Find support
- CancerCare: Free counseling, support groups and financial help
- Cancer Support Community: Support groups, a helpline and the MyLifeLine online community
- Imerman Angels: Free one-on-one matching with a survivor or caregiver mentor
- American Cancer Society: 24/7 helpline (1-800-227-2345), rides to treatment, lodging and information
Common questions
How long does chemo fatigue last?
It often improves in the weeks to months after treatment, but some people feel it longer.
Written by the Cancer Side Effects Guide team from FDA labels and leading cancer centers. Not medical advice. · Last updated: October 15, 2026 · How we write