The aim of this study was to determine the profile of the pharmacotherapy used by hospitalized elderly. A cross-sectional study was conducted at a Brazilian charitable general hospital. Drug prescriptions for hospitalized elderly patients (age≥ 60 years), dated from May to September 2010, were the source of data for this study and retrospectively analyzed (n= 1,783). Polypharmacy (use of 5 or more drugs) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs–according to the Beers Criteria) were identified. Associations between sex, age, admission for cardiovascular disease or hospital stay and polypharmacy or PIM prescription were studied using univariate analysis (Pearson’s Chi-square test). The association between polypharmacy and PIM prescription was also evaluated. A total of 204 elderly were hospitalized (mean age= 75 years) during the study period. The most commonly prescribed drugs acted on the cardiovascular system (29%) and the alimentary tract and metabolism (26%). Around 90% of the elderly were submitted to polypharmacy and 59% had, at least, one prescription of PIMs. A hospital stay of five days or more was associated with polypharmacy and PIM prescription. This study revealed a worrying drug utilization profile of high PIM use and polypharmacy practice. There is a need to implement strategies to improve geriatric prescribing.