A load driving circuit in which a load is connected to the connecting point of transistors as low-side and high-side main switch elements that have a totem pole structure and are connected between a pair of drive voltage supply lines. A protection circuit section is provided for the high-side transistor. In the protection circuit section, a resistor as a voltage control element is provided for a MOSFET as an overvoltage prevention switch and a capacitor is connected between the gate and the drain of the MOSFET.