Carisoprodol (brand name Soma) is a skeletal muscle relaxant approved by the FDA for use in painful musculoskeletal conditions on an acute basis.When the 350mg strength dosage was approved 53 years ago, the medication was classified as a non-controlled, non-scheduled drug.arisoprodol (brand name Soma) is a skeletal muscle relaxant approved by the FDA for use in painful musculoskeletal conditions on an acute basis.